Literature Review: Potensi Propolis Sebagai Imunomodulator

Human immune system function can be enhanced with immunomodulators. One of the natural ingredients that have these properties is propolis. The use of propolis as an immunomodulator has not been widely used. This article aims to examine the potential of propolis as an immunomodulator. The method used is a literature review of research articles according to the theme and comes from the PubMed database, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The article search strategy used the keywords flavonoid, immunomodulator, propolis, and the immune system. Propolis or bee glue is a resinous substance collected by honey bees from plant sources. The type of bee, the kind of plant habitat, the season, and geography will distinguish the chemical compounds of propolis. Propolis contains very high flavonoids as well as minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. Propolis from Indonesia has better flavonoid content than propolis from other countries. Flavonoids and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) are the main ingredients that have the potential as immunomodulators in propolis. Propolis can be an immunomodulator because it can stimulate the phagocytosis process by macrophages, reduce the production of TNF- cytokines and inhibit complement. Propolis also increases the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells and stimulates antibody production