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Molecules2020,25,556;doi:10.3390/molecules25030556www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Review
BeeProductsinDermatologyandSkinCare
AnnaKurek‐Górecka
1,
*,MichałGórecki
2
,AnnaRzepecka‐Stojko
2
,RadosławBalwierz
1
andJerzyStojko
3
1
SilesianAcademyofMedicalSciencesinKatowice,Mickiewicza29,40‐085Katowice,Poland;
radoslaw.balwierz@gmail.com
2
DepartmentofDrugTechnology,FacultyofPharmaceuticalSciencesinSosnowiec,MedicalUniversityof
Silesia,Jedności8,41‐200Sosnowiec,Poland;mgorecki@sum.edu.pl(M.G.);
annastojko@sum.edu.pl(A.R.‐S.)
3
DepartmentofToxycologyandBioanalysis,FacultyofPharmaceuticalSciencesinSosnowiec,Medical
UniversityofSilesia,Ostrogórska30,41‐200Sosnowiec,Poland;jstojko@sum.edu.pl
*Correspondence:akurekgorecka@interia.pl
AcademicEditors:RaffaeleCapassoandLorenzoDiCesareMannelli
Received:date;Accepted:date;Published:28January2020
Abstract:Honey,propolis,beepollen,beebread,royaljelly,beeswaxandbeevenomarenatural
productswhichhavebeenusedinmedicinesinceancienttimes.Nowadays,studiesindicatethat
naturalbeeproductscanbeusedforskintreatmentandcare.Biologicalpropertiesoftheseproducts
arerelatedtoflavonoidstheycontainlike:chrysin,apigenin,kaempferol,quercetin,galangin,
pinocembrinornaringenin.Severalpharmacologicalactivitiesofphenolicacidsandflavonoids,and
also10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacid,whichispresentinroyaljelly,havebeenreported.Royal
jellyhasmultitudeofpharmacologicalactivities:antibiotic,antiinflammatory,antiallergenic,tonic
andantiaging.Honey,propolisandpollenareusedtohealburnwounds,andtheypossess
numerousfunctionalpropertiessuchas:antibacterial,anti‐inflammatory,antioxidant,disinfectant,
antifungalandantiviral.Beeswaxisusedforproductionofcosmeticsandointmentsinpharmacy.
Duetoalargenumberofbiologicalactivities,beeproductscouldbeconsideredasimportant
ingredientsinmedicinesandcosmeticsappliedtoskin.
Keywords:beeproducts;flavonoids,phenolicacids;skincare;therapeuticproperties
1.Introduction
Nowadays,alternativemedicine,whichemploysnaturalbiologicallyactivesubstancesobtained
frombeeproducts,isgettingmoreandmoreattention.Beeproductshavebeenusednotonlyin
treatment,butalsoforskincareasingredientsofcosmetics.Theeffectofbeeproductsontheskin
hasalsobeenprovedbynumerousstudies,andtheuseofhoney,propolis,beepollenandbeevenom
inwoundhealinghighlightstheircurativevalue[1–4].Eachbeeproductpossessesspecificactive
substanceswhichdetermineitsuseforvariousskinproblems.Honey,propolis,beepollen,beebread,
beeswaxandbeevenomarethebeeproductswhichareusedformedicinalpurposesandcosmetic
production.
Honeyisanaturalproductwhichismadebybeesfromnectarandhoneydew.Honeyisa
supersaturatedsolutionofcarbohydrateswithnumerouspropertiesandwideuse.Propolis,also
calledbeeglue,isaresinoussubstancecollectedbybeesfrombudsoftrees,shrubs,andgreenplants.
Both,propolisandhoneywereusedinantiquityforembalmingbodies,whereasfolkmedicineused
honeyforwoundhealingandpainrelief[5].
Beepolleniscollectedfromplantsandtransportedto
thehiveinformofpollenloads.Theformationofloadsinvolvesmoisturizingpollenwithnectaror
honey.Pollenforwintersupplies,whichisdepositedinthehoneycombcells,undergoeslactic
fermentationandproducesbeebread.Beebreadandbeepollenarebactericidalandbacteriostatic
agents[6,7].
Beeswaxisasubstanceproducedbyglandslocatedinthebeeabdomen.Waxobtained
Molecules2020,25,5562of17
fromhoneycombsconstitutesavaluableingredientusedincosmetologyandpharmacy.Beevenom
alsocalledapitoxinproducedbyhoneybee.Itconsistsacomplexmixtureofdifferentpeptidesand
mastcelldegranulatingpeptide,whichtherapeuticandcosmeticpropertiesareusedinmanyareas
[8].
2.SelectedCompoundsofBeeProducts
Thechemicalcompositionofbeeproductsisquitediversified,anddependsonthebotanical
composition,geographicalorigin,timeofcollectionandenvironmentalconditions[9–11].However,
eachproductmadebybeeshasaspecifiedcompositionandcontentofbiologicallyactivesubstances,
whichgivespecificpropertiestoeachbeeproduct.Thechemicalcompositiondeterminesthecurative
andpropertiesoftheseproducts.
Honeycontainsatleast181ingredients[12].Honeyisasupersaturatedcarbohydratessolution
containingmainlyglucoseandfructose[13].Moreover,honeycanhaveinitscompositionofsucrose,
rhamnose,trehalose,nigerobiose,isomaltose,maltose,maltotetraose,maltotriose,maltulose,
melezitose,melibiose,nigerose,palatinose,raffinose,anderlose[14,15].Italsocontainsenzymes,
namely,glucoseoxidase,amylase,catalase,peroxidase,invertase,andlysozyme.Glucoseoxidase
produceshydrogenperoxidewhichisoneofresponsiblesubstancesforthebactericidalactivityof
honey[16].Honeycontainsalsoorganicacids:gluconicacid,citricacid,malicacid,lacticacid,
succinicacid,oxalicacid,tartaricacid,formicacid,aceticacid,benzoicacid,andpyromucicacid.The
acidsoriginatefrombeebodiesandenzymaticconversionswhichoccurduringhoneyproduction.
Thecontentoftheseacidsishigherinmaturehoneys.Phenolicacidsandflavonoids,whichare
responsibleformanybiologicalpropertiesandhaveantioxidativeactivity,arealsoimportant
ingredientsofhoney.Thegroupofphenolicacidsincludesderivativesofhydroxycinnamicacidand
hydroxybenzoicacid.Thederivativesofhydroxycinnamicacidarep‐coumaricacid,caffeicacid,
ferulicacid,andsinapicacid.Whereas,thederivativesofhydroxybenzoicacidincludep‐
hydroxybenzoic,vanillic,syringic,salicylicandgallicacidsandellagicacidasadimerofgallicacid
[15].Inhoney,flavonoidsarerepresentedbynaringenin,hesperetin,pinocembrin,chrysin,galangin,
quercetinandkaempferol.However,asignificantdecreaseintheconcentrationofgalangin,
kaempherol,andmyricetinisobservedafterhoneyhasbeenheated,whilepasteurizationcausesa
substantialdecreaseinmyricetinconcentration[17].Honeycontainsalsoessentialoils,whose
compositionincludesterpenes(thymol,bisabolol,farnesol,andcineol).Othercomponentsofhoney
comprisewater,aminoacidsandproteins.Proline(50–80%)dominatesamongaminoacids,andits
increasedpresenceindicateshoneymaturity[14].Vitaminsconstituteasmallgroupofcompounds
presentinhoney,andtheyaremainly:thiamine,riboflavin,pyridoxine,p‐aminobenzoicacid,folic
acid,pantothenicacid,andvitaminsA,C,E.Honeycontainsalsominerals:phosphorus,potassium,
calcium,magnesium,sulfur,iron,copper,manganese,andzinc.Althoughthereisonlyasmall
amountoftrace‐elementsinhoney,theyarehighlybioavailable.Itwasreportedthatcopper,calcium,
zinc,iron,manganeseandmagnesiumfromhoneyarecharacterizedabioavailabilityof80–90%[18].
Intermsofchemicalcomposition,propolisisaverydiverseproduct.Atpresent,atleast300
activecompoundshavebeenidentifiedinit[19].Phenolicacids(caffeic,ferulic,chlorogenic,p‐
coumaric),benzoicacid,cinnamicacidandflavonoidsarethemostimportantbiologicallyactive
compounds.Amongflavonoids,wecanenumeratechrysin,luteolin,apigenin,galangin,kaempherol,
quercetin,pinostrobin,pinocembrin,andterpenecompounds,whosecontentis0.5%(bisabolol),and
alcohols(cetyl,myricyl,mannitolandinositol)[20–22].Propoliscontainsalsominerals(calcium,
magnesium,manganese,zinc,copper,iron,cobaltandselenium),vitamins(B1,B2,B6,CandE)and
enzymes(succinatedehydrogenase,glucose‐6‐phosphatase,adenosinetriphosphatase,acid
phosphatase)[22,23].
Beepollencomprisesatleast200biologicallyactivesubstances.Proteinsconstituteabout22.7%
ofbeepollencomposition,including10.4%essentialaminoacids:methionine,lysine,threonine,
histidine,leucine,isoleucine,valine,phenylalanine,tryptophan.Digestiblecarbohydratesconstitute
30.8%,whilethepercentageofreducingsugarsis25.7%.Amongthefattyacidspresentinbeepollen,
wecanlistacidssuchasgamma‐linolenicacid,arachidonicacid,andlinoleicacid(0.4%).
Molecules2020,25,5563of17
Additionally,nucleicacidsandnucleosidesarevaluablecomponentsofbeepollen[2,24].Itcontains
alsovitamins(B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,C,H,E)andminerals(potassium,calcium,phosphorus,iron,zinc,
copper,manganese)[9].
Proteincontentinbeebreadis12%lowerthanitscontentinbeepollen.Thecontentofreducing
sugarsincreasesby40–50%,whereasthecontentoflacticacidrisesto3.1%.Beebreadcontains
vitaminKandenzymeswhichcannotbefoundinbeepollen[25,26].Beebreadisalsoagoodsource
ofphenoliccomponents.AmongbeebreadfromdifferentpartsoftheBalticRegionthep‐coumaric
acid,ferulicacid,caffeicacid,kaempherol,isorhamnetin,naringeninandquercetinwereidentified
[27].
Royaljellycontainspeptides:jelleinesI,II,III,IV,proteins,carbohydrates,lipids,vitaminsand
minerals[28].Amongproteinswecanlistroyalisinandenzymes:amylase,invertase,catalase,acid
phosphatase,andlysozyme.Proteinsofroyaljellyarerichinexogenousaminoacids.The
carbohydratesinroyaljellyaremainlymonosaccharides:fructose,glucoseandoligosaccharides.
Lipidsplayanimportantroleinroyaljellycomposition[29].10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacid,3‐
hydroxydodecanoicacid,and11‐oxododecanoicacidcanbeincludedintothemostvaluableones
[28].10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacid(10H2DA)isthemainandspecificlipidcomponentofthis
product.10H2DAisusedasamarkertovalidatethequalityofroyaljelly[28,30].Royaljellycontains
alsovolatilecompoundssuchasphenol,guaiacolandmethylsalicylate.Inroyaljelly,therearealso
presenttraceamountsofsuchbio‐elementsaspotassium,sodium,magnesium,phosphorus,sulfur,
calcium,zinc,iron,andcopper.RoyaljellycontainsmainlyvitaminsfromgroupB:thiamine,
riboflavin,pyridoxine,pantothenicacid,nicotinicacidandbiotinanditisalsocontainsphenolic
compounds:ferulicacid,quercetin,kaempherol,galanginandfisetin,pinocembrin,naringinand
hesperidin,apigenin,acacetin,andchrysin[31,32].
Estersofacidsandfattyalcoholsaremainconstituentsofbeeswaxandsubsequentcomponents,
inrespectofamount,arefreefattyacids[33].Amongthelatter,10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacid
(10H2DA)exhibitsantibacterialeffect,whichisimportant.Beeswaxiscomposedofhydrocarbons
andfreefattyalcohols[34,35].Freefattyalcoholssuchastriacontanol,octacosanol,hexacosanol,and
tetracosanolareantioxidativeandanti‐inflammatory.Othersubstancesaretriterpenes,β‐carotene,
volatilecompoundsandphenoliccompounds.Amongflavonoids,themainroleisplayedbychrysin,
whichrelievesinflammation,hasantimicrobialandregenerativeeffects.Sterolshavearegenerative
effect,whereasanantisepticeffectisprovidedbythreecomponents:10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoic
acid,chrysin,andsqualene[34,36].
Beevenomcontainsdifferentpeptidesincludingmelittin,apamine,adolapin,sekapin,
prokaminandmastcelldegranulatingpeptide[37].Peptidesaremaincomponentsofbeevenom.
Amongpeptidesespeciallymelittinplaysimportantroleininducingreactionsassociatedwithbee
stings.Melittininducesmembranepermeabilizationandlysescells.Itpossessesalsobiologically
activeamineslikehistamine,epinephrine,dopamine,norepinephrineandenzymeslike
phospholipaseA2,hyaluronidase,acidphosphomonoesterase,lysophospholipase.Beevenomhas
anothercomponentsthanpeptidesincludinglipids,carbohydratesandfreeaminoacids[8,38,39].
3.BeeProductsasRawMaterialforMedicinesandCosmeticsProduction
Honeyincosmeticsisnamed“Honey”or“Mel”accordingtotheInternationalNomenclatureof
CosmeticIngredient(INCI),itisanemollientorhumectant,andexhibitsmoisturizingproperties.
Somecosmeticscontainderivativesofhoney,definedintheINCIas“MelExtract”withmoisturizing
properties,“HydrogenatedHoney”whichishumectant,andantistatic“Hydroxypropyltrimonium
Honey”.Hydroxypropyltrimoniumhoneyisusedinshampoosandhairconditioners.Moreoftenthe
concentrationofhoneyincosmeticsisupto10%.Higherconcentrations(upto70%)areobtainedby
dispersinginoils,gelsorpolymerentrapment[40].
Mostfrequently,propolishasaformofaqueousorethanolextracts.AccordingtotheINCI
nomenclature,incosmeticswecanfinditunderthefollowingnames:propolisandpropolisextract.
Ethanolextractsofpropolisaremostfrequentlyused.Toobtainthem,propolisisextractedwith70%
ethanol,andthentheextractisconcentratedinreducedpressureconditions[41].Anaqueousextract
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ofpropolisisusedinantifungalcosmetics,whilepropolisdissolvedinfatsisusedtoproduce
lipsticks.
Royaljellycanmostfrequentlybefoundincosmeticsinalyophilizedform,andthehigher
percentagecontentoflyophilizedroyaljellyis,thelessviscouscreambecomes.However,royaljelly
contentdoesnotaffectemulsionstability.Preparationswithahighercontentofroyaljellyarewell
absorbed,anddonotleavegreasyfilm.Creamswithroyaljellyhavemoisturizingproperties
especiallyinconcentrationof0.5%and1%[42].
Incosmeticmanufacturing,beepollenisusedinaformofaqueous,lyophilizedandlipid
extracts.Activesubstancescanbeextractedwithwater,propyleneglycols,glycerinandoils.Bee
pollenextactsareusedincosmeticinconcentrations0.5–5%[43].Innaturalcosmetics,driedgrains
ofbeepollen–micronizedandaddedtocosmetics–arealsoused.
Beeswaxisusedincosmeticsafterhoneyhasbeenremovedfromhoneycombs,waxhasbeen
melted,andimpuritieshavebeenseparated.Todothis,varioustypesofwaxextractorsareused:
solar,electricorsteamones.Yellowwax(Ceraflava)orwhitewax(Ceraalba)isusedtoproduce
cosmetics[34].
AccordingtoINCI,beevenomorapitoxinaredefinedasbeevenompowder.Itisyellowlight
powderobtainedbycollectingalargeamountofbeevenombyelectricstunningwithusingabee
venomcollectorwithoutharmingthehoneybee.Thenbeevenomhastobepurifiedunderstrict
laboratoryconditions.Innextsteppurifiedbeevenomisdilutedinwater,centrifuged,lyophilized
andrefrigeratedforuseascosmeticingredient[44].Itisusedasacosmeticingredientswhich
possessesantiaging,anti‐inflammatoryandantibacterial,antifungalandantiviraleffects.Beevenom
isusedtoproduceantiphotoagingandanti‐acneproducts[8,44].Beevenomisusedintreatment
psoriasis,atopicdermatitisandalopecia[39].
4.TheEffectofBeeProductsontheSkin
4.1.Honey
Honeyisusedinmedicineincludingduetoitsantimicrobialeffect,whichresultsfromthe
followingfactors:hydrogenperoxide,highosmoticpressure,highacidity,thepresenceofphenolic
acids,flavonoidsandlysozyme[45].Honeyinhibitsthegrowthofbacteriaandfungibyreducing
theirdevelopmentontheskinsurface.Honeyisparticularlysuitableasadressingforwoundsand
burns,andhasalsobeenincludedintreatmentsagainstpityriasis,tinea,seborrhea,dandruff,diaper
dermatitis,psoriasis,hemorrhoids,andanalfissure[40].Pinocembrinandlysozymeareresponsible
forantifungalproperties.Lysozymeinhibitsgrowthofyeast‐likefungi[46].Theeffectofhoneyon
healingpostsurgicalwoundswasdocumented[1].Among52patientsincisionsonskinwerecovered
withhoneydressing.Theaestheticoutcomeafterthirdandsixmonthswasrated.Thewidthofthe
scarswassmallerincomparetoconventionaldressing.After5‐dayapplicationofhoneydressing,an
analgesiceffectwasobtainedandwoundhealingwasacceleratedinwomenafterplasticsurgeries.
HoneyinducedextracellularCa2+entryresultsinwoundhealing.ItissimilartoroleplaysbyCa2+
signalingintissueregeneration[47].Moreoverhoneyregulatestheprocessofepithelial
mesenchymaltransition(EMT)andithasapositiveimpactonwoundhealing.TheeffectonEMT
dependsonthefloralandoriginofthehoney[48].Honeyistheapitherapeuticagentintopical
woundstreatmentduetokillingbacteria,abilitytobacterialbiofilmpenetration,lowingwoundspH,
Reducingpainandinflammation,promotingfibroblastmigrationandkeratinocyteclosure,
promotingcollagendepositionsohoneyhasapotentialroleintheareaoftissueengineeringand
regeneration.Honeyshouldbeconsideredtoincorporateittothebiomaterialtissuetemplatesfor
tissueregeneration.Honeywasusedinelectrospuntemplates,cryogelsorhydrogels[49].Themain
problemofusehoneyintissueengineeringare:cytotoxicityofhighconcentrationsofhoney,thelack
ofprolongedreleaseratesofthehoneyovertime.Sofutureresearchshouldfocusontheseaspects.
Amongdifferenttypesofhoney,astrongantibacterialeffectwasobservedinmanukahoneywhich
containslargeramountofmethylglyoxalthanEuropeanhoneys[50].Theantibioticactivityof
manukahoneyisestimatedbyUniqueManukaFactor(UMF)andmethylglyoxal(MGO)markers
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[46].Duetoanincreasedcontentofglucoseoxidase,ahigherlevelofhydrogenperoxidethanin
Europeanhoneyscanbeobserved[51].Hydrogenperoxideisresponsibleforproducefreeradicals,
whichcauseoxidativedamagetobacterialcellwalls.TheantimicrobialeffectofhoneyfromNew
Zealandisalsoevidentinundilutedhoneysanditisnotabolishedbycatalases,whichdifferentiates
manukahoneyfromothertypesofhoney.Thistypeofhoneyisusedinthetreatmentofvarious
wounds,includingburns.TheinhibitionvalueagainstStaphylococcusaureusFDA209Pofmanuka
honeyindilutionsfrom1:2to1:128isdeterminedintherangeof2.0–4.5[50].Manukahoneyisused
inmedicinetohealburns,ulcersandwoundsdifficulttoheal,andbringssatisfactoryresults.Manuka
honeyalsosoothesguminflammation,andinhibitstheformationofdentalplaque,fightsthrush,and
preventsperiodontitis[52].AnothervarietyofhoneywithantibacterialactivityisRevamilfromThe
Netherlands.TheantibioticfactorinRevamilisthepeptidedefensin‐1[46].Beedefensin‐1
permeabilizesbacteriaandinhibitstheirRNA,DNAandproteinsynthesis[49].Howeverinother
varietiesofhoneyalsothephenoliccompoundsareresponsibleforantibacterialeffect.
Honeyisabeeproductwithahighnutritionalvalueandregenerativepropertiesthatiswhyit
isusedinskincareproducts.Ahighcontentofcarbohydrates,thepresenceoffruitacidsandtrace
elementsareresponsibleforitsnutritionalandregenerativeeffects.Thankstoosmosis,
microcirculationinthedermaltissueisstimulated,whichresultsinitsbetternutritionand
oxygenation.Inthisway,metabolicprocessesarealsostimulated,whichleadstoeliminatingharmful
metabolites,andincreasingregenerativeprocesses.Additionally,honeyhashygroscopicproperties,
absorbingmetabolites,andcausingdetoxificationofthedermaltissue.Thisresultsinanincreasein
theskintension,improvementofitselasticity,revitalizingitscolor,andsmoothingoutwrinkles[52].
Fruitacids,ashoneycomponents,provideanexfoliatingeffectfordeadskincells.Honeycanbeused
aspeelingagentinasugaredform[53].Asaresult,manyvaluablenutritionalcomponents,including
vitamins,candiffusethroughtheskinmoreeasily.Xerosisisrelievedbyfattyacidsandmineralsalts
inhoney.Honeysoothesskinirritations,itisagoodcosmeticforchappedlips,rough,crackedhands,
andfrostbites.Honeyisusedinbalmsandbathproductsbecauseofitstoning,relaxing,conditioning
effectsrelatedtothehighcontentofsimplesugars,thepresenceofessentialoils,andbioelements
[53].Duetothepresenceofflavonoids,honeycanalsoplayanimportantroleinsunprotectionby
preventingskinirritation[40].
4.2.Propolis
Propolisiswidelyusedinmedicine.Thankstoitsantisepticpropertiesitisusedindermatology
totreatstaphylococcal,streptococcalandfungalinfections.Purulentskininfections,hidradenitis,
intertrigo,cheilosis,andthrush,amongotherthings,aretreatedwithpropolis.AsreportedthePropol
T,whichisapropolispreparation,ishighlyeffectiveintreatmentofskinburns[54].Thereare
comparabletherapeuticeffectswhenpropolisandsulfathiazoleareused,however,beeglueissafer,
andhasfeweradverseeffects.Propolisisnotonlyantimicrobialandanti‐inflammatorybutalsoit
increasescicatrizationandreducespain.Chrysin,whichisaflavonoid,providesananalgesiceffect.
Propolisusedtotreatburnwoundsinpigsincreasedfibrolastproliferation,activationandgrowth
capacity.Propolisstimulatesglycosaminoglycanaccumulationwhatisneededforgranulation,tissue
growthandwoundclosure.Propolisasapitherapeuticagentismoreeffectivelythansilver
sulfadiazine.AccumulationofcollagentypeIinmatrixofaninjurystimulatestherepairprocess
becausecollagentypeIisindispensableforthekeratinocytemigrationandreepithelization.
Moreover,propolisincreasedaccumulationofcollagentypeIIIwhataccelerateshealthyprocess.The
usageofpropolisointmenttotreatburnsasatopicalapitherapeuticproductcouldcontributeto
reepithelization[3].Topicallyappliedpropolisdecreasedpersistentinflammatoryindiabetic
woundsbynormalizingneutrophilandneutrophilelastase.Caffeicacidisresponsibleforanti‐
inflammatoryeffectofpropolis[55].Genisteinfrompropolisacceleratedwoundhealingand
stimulatedwoundangiogenesisinmicewithdiabetestype‐1[56].Furthermorepropolismaybe
effectiveinhealingindifferentanimalmodelsincludinganimalswithburnsanddiabeticwounds
[3,55,56].MoreoverpropolisishighlyeffectiveinthetreatmentofAcnevulgaris.Researchers
confirmedthelimitationofoccurrenceofCutibacteriumacnes,i.e.,abacteriumwhichplaysakeyrole
Molecules2020,25,5566of17
inacnevulgarispathogenesis,afterethanolextractofpropoliswasappliedtotheskin[57].The
ethanolextractofpropolisinhibitsalsoStaphylococcusepidermidis.Propolisisusedtomanufacture
cosmeticsfortheskinwithacne,andtoproducedrugsagainstbacterialandfungalinfections[58].
Propolisintheconcentrationof5–20%hasregenerative,repaireffectsandprotectsagainstexternal
factors.Itcanbeusedtoproduceanti‐bedsorespreparations,sinceitfirmsthedermaltissueand
protectsitagainstpathogenicmicrobes[59].Propolisprotectsalsofromultravioletradiation,sinceit
canabsorbUVlightduetothepresenceofcaffeicacid,coumaricacid,andferulicacid.Propolisisa
goodadditivetosunblockers(creams,lotions,sticks,andlipsticks)duetoitspropertiesofanatural
filter,aswellasantioxidative,anti‐inflammatoryandregenerativeeffects[60].Otherresearchers
showedthatRomanianpropolishadphotoprotectiveeffectsagainstUVBaftertopicalapplicationto
30Swissmice[61].Propolisisalsousedtoproduceprotectivelipsticks.Itisregenerativeandantiviral
incoldsorescausedbyherpexsimplexvirus.Flavonesandflavonolsfrompropolis,especially
galangin,kaempferol,quercetin,haveahighantiviralactivityagainstherpessimplexvirustype1in
vitro[62].Nolkemperetal.observedthatboth,aqueousandethanolextractsofpropoliswere
stronglyantiviralagainstherpessimplextype2(HSV‐2)[63].Skincarewithproductsbasedon
propolisishelpfulagainstfungalproblemsoftheskinduetothepresenceofflavonoids(pinocembrin
andpinobanksin),phenolicacids(caffeicacid)andterpenes[59].Pinocembrinisolatedfrompropolis
inhibitsthemycelialgrowthofPenicilliumitalicumbyinterferingenergyhomeostasisandcell
membranedamageofthepathogen[64].Shampooswithbeegluecanbeanaturalalternativein
treatmentofdandruffandpreventionofitsrecurrenceduetoitsantifungalandanti‐seborrheic
properties.Propolishasalsobeenusedformanufacturingtoothpastes.Beeglueinhibitsthe
formationofdentalplaqueandisantimicrobial,therebyitreducesdentalcariesdevelopment.
Propolisethanolextractsinhibitthegrowthofcariogenicbacteria,whichincludemainly
StaphylococcusmutantandStaphylococcussobrinus.Glucosyltransferasemakesbacteriaproduceglucan
theyfeedon,whichisinsolubleinwater.Propoliseliminatescariogenicbacteria,inhibitstheactivity
ofglucosyltransferase,andreducesadherentabilitiesofbacteria[65].Theconductedstudiesshowed
thattheuseoftoothpastewithpropolisreduceddentalplaqueby34.3%annually,whereasnormal
pastereducedtheplaqueby31.9%.Aftertwo‐yearuseofthepastewithpropolisafurtherreduction
ofplaqueby12.4%wasobserved,whilenormalpastemanagedtoreduceitonlyby5%.Rinsingthe
mouthwithwaterwith0.5%propoliscontentcomplementstheoralcavitycare.After21days,this
solutionwasabletoreducedentalplaqueby18.1%[66].Propolissmoothesoutwrinklesandhas
antiagingproperties.Ahugeroleisplayedherebyantioxidantssuchasphenoliccompoundsand
flavonoidswhichneutralizeanunfavorableeffectoffreeradicalsontheskin.Beegluelightensand
smoothenstheskin,reducessignsoffatigueandmoisturizesit[59].
4.3.RoyalJelly
Royaljellyhasabroadspectrumofbiologicalactivitieswhichdeterminetheeffectofroyaljelly
ontheskin,namely,antibacterial,anti‐inflammatory,immunomodulatory,anti‐allergic,antioxidant,
toning,moisturizing,andantiaging[67].Royaljellyisabeeproductwithstrongantimicrobialactivity
withinskintissue,whichisalreadyevidentin20%concentration.Duetoitsanti‐inflammatory
activity,royaljellyrelievesperiodontaldiseases,inflammationoftheoralcavity,tongueandthroat.
Anti‐inflammatoryactivityandwoundhealingresultsfromitsabilitytoinhibittheproductionof
pro‐inflammatorycytokines(TNF‐α,IL‐6,IL‐1).Royaljellyhasaprotectiveeffectonbloodvessels
andrelieveshemorrhoids,andvaricoseveinsofthelowerextremities.Itisusedtotreatlichen,ulcers,
burns,bedsores,shingles,inallcaseswheretheregenerationofepidermisisexpected,wound
epithelialization,nutritionaleffect,healingandantimicrobialactivity.Theeffectof5%royaljellyon
ulcersonthediabeticfoothasbeenstudied.Thetreatmentlasted3monthsandinvolveddressing
thewoundwith5%sterileroyaljelly3timesaweek.Amongeighttreatedulcers,sevenwerecured,
andinonecaseanimprovementwasobserved[68].Royaljellypromoteswoundreepithelization.
ThekeratinocytesareresponsiblefortheelevatedproductionofMMP‐9(matrixmetalloproteinase‐
9)afterincubationwithawaterextractofroyaljelly.Afterapplyingwaterextractofroyaljelly
increasedkeratinocytemigrationandwoundclosurerates.Thecomponentofroyaljellyresponsible
Molecules2020,25,5567of17
forstimulatingMMP‐9productionisdefensin‐1.Moreoverdefensin‐1promotesreepithelizationand
woundclosure.Similarlyasinhoney,defensin‐1isresponsibleforcutaneouswoundclosureby
enhancingkeratinocyteandMMP‐9secretion[69].Royaljellyiseffectiveinthetreatmentofwounds,
andissuccessfullyusedincosmeticsforproblemskincare.Royaljellyisaningredientof
preparationsnormalizingsebumsecretion,forseborrheicskin,acne‐proneskinwherefrequently
skinlesionsandsmallwoundsoccur[31].Duetostimulatingmetabolismintissues,royaljelly
improvesregenerativeprocessesoftissues.Regenerative,nutritionalandhealingpropertiesareused
inbalms,creams,andlotions.Immunomodulatoryandantiallergenicactivitiesofroyaljellyare
relatedtothepropertiesoffattyacids,isolatedfromit.Both,10HDAand3‐10‐dihydroxydecanoic
acidmodulateimmuneresponseandlowertheconcentrationofIL‐2andIL‐10.Anti‐inflammatory
andimmunomodulatoryactivitiesofroyaljellywereusedtotreatatopicdermatitis,hypertrophy,
hyperkeratosisandepidermisanddermisinflammation,possiblythroughablendofTNF‐specific
lowadjustmentofIFN‐gammaspecificproductionandhighadjustmentofnitric‐oxidesynthase
(NOS)expression[70].10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacid,whichispresentinroyaljelly,stimulates
fibroblastproductionofcollagenbyinductingtheproductionoftransforminggrowthfactor.Asa
result,royaljellyaffectstheproductionofcollagen,whichisanimportantfactorthatsupportsthe
skin[28].Royaljellyishighlymoisturizing,andaffectshydrationofthestratumcorneumbyretaining
waterinit.Inconsequence,theskinbecomemoreelasticandbettermoisturized[42].
4.4.BeePollen
Beepollen,anotherbeeproduct,canalsoaffecttheskin.Beepollenisapotentantifungal,
antimicrobial,antiviral,anti‐inflammatory,immunostimulatingagent,anditalsofacilitatesthe
granulationprocessofburnhealing[71].PollenethanolextractisantimicrobialagainstStaphylococcus
aureus,Escherichiacoli,Klebsiellapneumoniae,Pseudomonasaeruginosa,andhasanantifungalactivity
againstCandidaalbicans.Flavonoidsandphenolicacidsprovideantifungalandantibacterial
propertiesofbeepollen.Anti‐inflammatoryactivityofbeepollenisduetoinhibitingtheactivityof
enzymesparticipatinginthedevelopmentofinflammation,i.e.,cyclooxygenaseIIandlipoxygenase.
Phenolicacids,fattyacidsandphytosterolsareresponsibleforanti‐inflammatorycharacteristics.
Additionally,kaempferolinhibitshyaluronidaseandelastase,whichsuppressesinflammatory
response.Besides,topicalapplicationofointmentwithpollenextracttotreatburnshasbeenstudied,
sincebeepollencanregeneratedamagedtissues[2].
Beepollenisanactiveingredientincosmetics,usuallyintheconcentrationof0.5–5%[43].Its
significanteffectontheskintissueisduetoahighcontentofflavonoids.Theirpresenceallowsbee
pollentostrengthenandsealcapillaries,whichisalsoincreasedbyhighvitaminCcontent,andthat
iswhybeepollenisusedincreamsforcouperoseskin.Beepollenaffectscellmetabolism,boosts
regenerationandstimulatesmitoticdivision.Beepollenisusedtoproduceshampoosand
conditioners.Itssebo‐balancingactivity,whichinvolvesreducingsebumsecretion,isusedin
preparationsforoilyhair. Beepollennormalizestheactivityofsebaceousglandsduetopresenceof
zinc,methionineandphospholipids.Moreover,sulphurcontainingaminoacids,mainlycysteine,
presentinbeepollenstrengthenhairshaft.Beepollenisalsoaddedtoanti‐dandruffshampoos,since
itlimitsfungalgrowthandstopsitchingofthescalp,butitstillhasmoisturizing,conditioningand
regeneratingproperties.Otherresearchersinformthatagoodsolutionwouldbetomixethylesters
ofessentialunsaturatedfattyacidsfromflaxseedswithbeepollen.Essentialfattyacids(EFA)would
playtheroleoflipidfractionsolvent.Preparationswithomega‐3andomega‐6acidsenrichedwith
diversepropertiesofbeepollencouldhelpinthecareofatopicskin,sensitiveskin,andtheskinmore
vulnerabletoscarring[43].
4.5.Beeswax
Whencomparedtootherbeeproducts,beeswaxhasthesmallestrangeofbiologicalactivities.
Kędzia[34]wrotethatbeeswaxwasaddedtoointments,linimentsandcreamsusedintreatmentof
variousdermatoses,e.g.,boils,wounds,atopicdermatitis,psoriasis,diaperdermatitiscausedby
Candidaalbicans.Beeswaxismainlyusedasanemulsifyingagent.Incosmetics,beeswaxisusedasa
Molecules2020,25,5568of17
stiffener,asubstanceprovidingelasticity,plasticityandincreasingskinadhesiveness.Beeswaxisthe
baseforlipsticks,sticksandcreams[72].Beeswaxhaslubricating,softeningactivitiesandreduces
transepidermalwaterlossfromskin.Sterols,whicharealsocomponentsofintercellularspace,
providethesecharacteristicsofbeeswax.Squalene,10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacidandflavonoids
(chrysin)provideantisepticpropertiestothisproduct,andprotecttheskinagainstpathogenic
microorganisms.Beeswaxconstitutesaprotectivebarrieragainstmanyexternalfactorsbyforminga
filmontheskinsurface.β‐carotenepresentinbeeswaxisavaluablesourceofvitaminA,intowhich
itisconverted.VitaminAdelayscollagendegradation,stimulatesmitoticdivisionintheepidermis,
thusleadstosoonerregenerationoftheskinafterdamage[34,36].
Themaineffectsofflavonoidsandphenolicacidspresentinabovebeeproductsontheskinare
presentedinTable1.
Table1.Maineffectsofselectedflavonoidsandphenolicacidsonskin.
GroupRepresentativeStructureEffect
Flavones
Chrysin
anti‐inflammatory[73],
antibacterial&antiviral[74],
antioxidant[22]
Apigenin
antiviral&antifungal[74],
anti‐allergic[75],
antioxidant[22]
Flavonols
Galangin
antiviral[62],
antifungal[76],
antioxidant[22]
Kaempferol
anti‐inflammatory[77],
antifungal&antiviral[74],
antioxidant[22],
UVphotoprotective[78]
Quercetin
anti‐allergic[2],
antiviral&antifungal[74],
antibacterial[12],
antioxidant[79],
UVphotoprotective[78],
anti‐inflammatory[77]
Flavanones
Pinocembrin
antifungal[76],
antioxidant[22]
Naringenin
UVphotoprotective[80],
antioxidant[79],
anti‐inflammatory[77],
antiviral[74]
Phenolic
acidsp‐Coumaric
antiviral[20],
antibacterial[46]
O
OH
OH O
O
OH
OH O
OH
O
OH
OH O
OH
O
OH
OH O
OH
OH
O
OH
OH O
OH
OH
OH
O
OH
OH O
O
OH
OH O
OH
OH
O
OH
Molecules2020,25,5569of17
Table1.Cont.
Caffeic
anti‐inflammatory[55],
antiviral[20],
antibacterial[46],
antifungal[59]
Ferulic
antibacterial[46],
photoprotective[60]
4.6.BeeVenom
Beevenomhasbeenusedinmedicineintreatmentbutalsoasacosmeticingredient.Beevenom
hasawidespectrumofbiologicalactivity.Itexhibitantibacterialandanti‐inflammatoryeffectssoit
canbeusedasaingredientofanti‐acneproducts.Beevenomshowsinhibitoryeffectson
Cutibacteriumacnes.Cutibacteriumacnesisthemainfactorinducingtheinflammationinacne.Anet
al.[81]showedthattopicalapplicationbeevenomonmiceskin,whichpreviousobtained
intradermallyinjectedCutibacteriumacnesintoears,limitednumberofinflammatorycellsandalso
reducedleveloftumornecrosisfactor(TNF)‐αandinterleukinIL‐1β.Moreover,beevenominhibited
Tolllikereceptor(TLR2)andCD14expressionintissuewhichhasbeeninjectedC.acnes.Theseresults
indicatethatbeevenomcanbeusedasanti‐acneagent.Anotherresearchers[82]alsoshowedpositive
effectsofcosmeticscontainingbeevenomonacnevulgaris.Purifiedbeevenomreducednumberof
C.acnesatconcentrationof0.5mg.Beevenompossessesbactericidalandbacteriostaticeffectsthanks
tomelittin[38].IthasasignificantantibacterialeffectagainstStaphylococcusaureus,Staphylococcus
epidermidisandStaphylococcuspyrogenes[39,83].Melittinisatoxicpeptidethatcausesdestructionof
thebacterialcellwall[38].Beevenomcanbeusedinfungiandviralskininfections.Theantifungal
effectofbeevenomagainstTrichophytonmentagrophytes,Trichophytonrubrum,Candidaalbicansand
Malasseziafurfurwasproved[84–86].Antiviraleffectofbeevenomonherpessimplexvirushasbeen
studied.Beevenomsuppressedthereplicationthisvirus[87].Moreoverbeevenomisapotential
inhibitorof5α‐reductase,whichisresponsibleforconversetestosteroneintodihydrotestosterone
andplaysimportantroleashairgrowthpromoter,whatwasconfirmedinstudyonalopecia.Bee
venomindifferentconcentrations0.001%,0.005%and0.01%wasappliedincompare2%minoxidil.
Researchersshowedthatbeevenompromotedhairgrowthandinhibitedtransitionfromtheanagen
tocatagenphase.AdditionallybeevenominhibitedtheexpressionofSRD5A2whichencodesa5‐α‐
reductase[88].Beevenomcanplayroleasanewtherapyinlocalizedplaquepsoriasis.Intradermal
beevenomandintradermalbeevenomcombinedwithoralpropolisconstituteeffectivetreatmentof
localizedplaquepsoriasis.BeevenomreduceslevelofIL‐1β,TNF‐α,andIL‐6.Beevenomcontains
melittin,whichblockstheexpressionofinflammatorygenes.Additionallybeevenominhibitsthe
COX‐2expression,sodecreaseproductionofprostaglandinswhichtakepartininflammatoryprocess
[89].Beevenomcompoundspossessvarious,sometimeopposingimmune‐relatedeffects.Some
componentsofbeevenomlikeapamin,histamine,mastcelldegranulating(MCD)peptideand
phospholipaseA2(PLA2)increaseinflammatoryresponse,whilepolypeptideadolapininhibits
prostaglandinssynthesisandinhibittheactivityofbeevenomPLA2andhumanlipoxygenase[90].
Anti‐inflammatoryeffectofbeevenomisusedalsointreatmentatopicdermatitis.Patientswho
appliedemollientwithbeevenomhadlowereczemaarea,severityindexandvisualanaloguescale
valuethanpatientswhoappliedemollientwithoutbeevenom[84].Thebiologicalactivitiesofbee
venomhavebeenusedinwoundshealing.Themechanismofwoundhealingisassociatedwith
expressionsofTGF‐β1,fibronectin,vascularendothelialgrowthfactor(VEGF)andcollagen‐I.The
research,whichwasconductedinmiceshoweddecreasingofwoundsizeandincreasingepithelial
proliferation.Topicaluseofbeevenomiseffectiveespeciallyinreducingsizeofwoundsinanimal
model[83].Thebeevenomisusinginwounddressingcombinedwithpolyvinylalcoholand
OH
O
OH
OH
OH
O
OH
OCH
3
Molecules2020,25,55610of17
chitosan.4%beevenominwounddressingindiabeticratsacceleratedhealingandlimited
inflammatoryprocess[91].Anotherstudyshowedthat6%beevenomwithchitosansupported
woundhealing[92].Researchersindicatedthatbeevenomstimulatedhumanepidermalkeratinocyte
proliferationandmigration.Beevenomjoinedwithhydrogelincreasedcollagenformation.Bee
venomsupportswoundhealingduetoitsanti‐inflammatory,anti‐microbialandalsoantioxidant
activity.EffectiveactionofbeevenomisveryimportantinhumanmelanomaA2058cells.Tuetal.
exhibitedthatbeevenomleadstoapoptosiscelldeathbyinductionhydroxylradicals[93].Recently
beevenomalsohasbeenusedasantiwrinkleagent.Asacosmeticingredientbeevenomserumata
concentrationof0.006%wasappliedatamount4mLtwiceadayfor12weeksamongtwenty‐two
womenfromSouthKorea.Itcauseddecreasingtotalwrinklearea,totalwrinklecountandwrinkle
depth.Moreoverbeevenompossessesantimelanogenicactivitybyinhibitingtyrosinase‐related
proteins[94].ThestudyconductedbyHanetal.[44]reportedthatbeevenomexhibits
photoprotectiveactivitybyreductingoftheproteinlevelsofmatrixmetalloproteinases.Beevenom
effectivelyinhibitsphotoagingprocessessoitcanbeusedforphotodamagedskin.Gelcontaining
0.06%beevenomdidnotleadtophotosensitivedermatitiswhathasbeenconfirmedonanimalmodel
[8,44].
5.AllergicAdverseEffectsofBeeProducts
Theuseofbeeproductsforcosmeticaswellasmedicineproductioncaninvolvetheoccurrenceof
allergicreactions.Anallergytohoneyisseldom,andthemostfrequentallergenfromhoneythatcauses
hypersensitivityreactionsisbeepollen.Additionally,beeproteininhoneycancauseanallergy.Honey
usedtotreatdermatosesundergoesthoroughfiltrationtoeliminateparticlesofbeepollen,whichare
themaincauseofhoneyallergicreactions.HoneyallergyisveryrarebutsometimescausesIgE‐
mediatedhypersensitivityreaction[95].In2010Basistaconductedstudiesonbeekeepers.Noneofthem
washypersensitivetohoney[96].Morethan26allergenicsubstancesweredeterminedinpropolis
composition.Mostfrequently,anallergicreactioniscausedbyestersofcaffeicacidandcinnamicacid
derivedfrompoplarbuds.Inhypersensitivepeople,theycauseacontactallergicreaction.Duetothe
presenceoftheseestersinothermaterials,crossallergicreactioncanoccur.Themostpotentalergens
are:LB‐1,i.e.,thecompoundconsistingof3‐methyl‐2‐butyl‐caffeate(54.2%),3‐methyl‐3‐butyl‐caffeate
(28.3%),2‐methyl‐2‐butylcaffeate(4.3%),caffeicacid(1.3%),benzylcaffeate(1.0%),caffeicacid
phenethylester(CAPE,7.9%)andbenzylsalicylate.Anallergytopropolisisrare,andanallergic
responsewasmorefrequentlyreportedaftertopicalapplicationthananoralone.Intheyears1989–
2006,theWorldHealthOrganizationregisteredonly26notificationsaboutsideeffectsafterthecontact
withbeeglue,ofwhichjustsixwereconsideredcertain,andtheremainingoneswerenotfullycredible.
Inhealthyindividuals,anallergytopropolisisrarelyobserved(0.64–1.3%),however,itoccursmore
frequentlyinpeopletreatedforallergies(1.2–6.7%).Thishypersensitivityismanifestedbyatopic
eczemaaftertheapplicationofethanolextractofpropolis[97].Moreover,topicalapplicationofroyal
jellyintheformofointmentscancauseskinrashesandeczemas[67].Allergicandirritationreactionof
beevenomhavebeenassociatedwithpresencecomponentslikes:phospholipaseA2,melittin,
hyaluronidase.PhospholipaseA2isamajorallergenwhichisresponsibleforinducingimmuno‐
globulinE(IgE)[98].MelittincausescelllysisandfusioninadditiontoactivationofphospholipaseA2.
Hyaluronidaseisanextallergeninvenom,whichisresponsibleforchangesincellmembranes.It
causedspreadofvenomtoxinthroughthegapsbetweencells.However,beevenomcanbetoxicwhen
largeamountofvenomisinoculatedintobody[98].However,Hanetal.indicatesthatlongterm
topicallytreatmentwithbeevenomissafewhatconfimedtheirstudy[94].
6.Conclusions
Beeproductsconstituteanimportantcomponentofmedicinesandcosmetics.Honeyis
regenerativeandantimicrobialduetoitshighosmolarity,thepresenceofhydrogenperoxideand
lysozyme.Manukahoneythankstothepresenceofmethylglyoxalisapotentantisepticagent.Propolis
isabeeproductrichinphenoliccompounds,whichdetermineantimicrobial,UVprotective,analgesic,
antioxidativeandregenerativeactivities.Royaljellyischaracterizedbythepresenceofroyalisinand
Molecules2020,25,55611of17
jelleinespeptides.Italsocontains10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoicacidwhichimprovestheproductionof
collagenandisantiseptic.Beepollenisrichinunsaturatedfattyacids,vitamins,flavonoidsandhydroxy
acids.Beeswaxplaysthemostimportantroleasemulsifierofthecosmeticforms.Moreover,beevenom
isanattractiveandeffectivenaturaltoxinrichinpeptides.Itplaysanimportantroleintreatmentand
careskinespeciallyinphotodamage,acne,atopicdermatitis,alopeciaorpsoriasis.Beevenomexhibits
anti‐inflammatory,antimicrobial,antifungalandantiviralaction.Eachofthebeeproductsis
characterizedbythecontentofcertainactivesubstances,whichdifferentiatesonebeeproductfrom
another,andcausesthateachofthemisworthusingforadifferentskinproblem.Theeffectofbee
productsontheskinhasbeenprovedbynumerousstudies,whoseresultsaresatisfactory,andtheuse
oftheseproductinwoundhealinghighlightstheircurativevalue.Theadvantageofmedicinesand
cosmeticsbasedonbeeproductsistheireffectivenesswithminimalsideeffects. Table2summarizes
skindiseaseswherethetherapeuticapplicationofbeeproductshasbeenstudied.
Table2.Thesummaryoftheskindiseaseswherethetherapeuticapplicationofbeeproductshasbeen
studied.
Bee
ProductComponentsEffectDiseaseReference
Honey
pinocembrin,lysozymeantifungaltinea[13,46,64]
methylglyoxal,defensin‐1
peptide,lysozyme,glucose
oxidase,phenolicacids
antibacterialwounds,burns,ulcers[13,16,45,46,50]
fruitsacids,sugarsexfoliatingwrinkles[13]
quercetin,naryngenin,
kaempferol,chrysinanti‐inflammatorywounds,guminflammation[49,52]
carbohydrates,fruitacids,
traceelementsregenerativewounds[40,49,52,53]
Propolis
chrysinanalgesicwounds[3]
caffeicacid,quercetinanti‐inflammatorywounds[19,55]
pinocembrin,galangin,
caffeicacidantibacterialacne,wounds [19,57,65,66]
pinocembrin,pinobanksin,
quercetin,kaempherol,
caffeicacid,p‐coumaricacid,
terpenes,
antifungaltinea,fungalinfections[19,59]
galangin,kaempferol,
quercetinantiviralinfectionofHerpessimplex
virus[62,63]
caffeicacid,p‐coumaricacid,
ferulicacid,quercetin,
kaempferol
photoprotectivephotoaging[60]
phenolicacids,flavonoidsantiagingwrinkles[59]
genisteinstimulates
angiogenesisdiabeticwound[56]
Royaljelly
defensin‐1peptid,ferulicacidantibacterialwounds,diabeticfoot
ulcers,acne[32,67,68]
10‐hydroxydecanoicacid,3‐
10‐dihydroxydecanoicacid,
amino,gammaglobulin
antiinflammatoryatopicdermatitis,wounds,
hypertrophy,hyperkeratosis[67]
10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐decenoic
acid,10‐hydroxydecanoicacidantiagingwrinkles[67]
10‐hydroxydecanoicacid,3‐
10‐dihydroxydecanoicacid
immunomodulatory
andantiallergenic
autoimmuneand
inflammatorydiseases[70]
Beepollen
pinocembrin,apigenin,
quercetin,kaempferol,ferulic
acid,p‐coumaricacid
antifungaltinea[2,24,43]
kaempferol,phenolicacidsantimicrobialburns[2,6,24,43]
phenolicacids,fattyacids,
phytosterols,kaempferol,
quercetin
antiinflammatoryatopicdermatitis,burns[2,43]
methionine,zinc,
phospholipidssebo‐balancingacne[43]
Molecules2020,25,55612of17
Table2.Cont.
Beeswax
squalene,10‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐
decenoicacid,chrysinantibacterialwounds,atopicdermatitis,
psoriasis[34,36]
sterolsreducetransepidermal
waterlossatopicdermatitis[34]
Beevenom
melittinantimicrobialwounds,acne[39,81–83,92]
melittin,apaminantifungaltinea[84–86]
melittinantiviralherpessimplexinfections[84–87]
notreportedphotoprotective,
antimelanogenichiperpigmentation[44,94]
melittin,adolapinantiinflammatoryplaquepsoriasis,wounds,
atopicdermatitis[83,84,89,91,92]
phospholipaseA2pigmentationeffectvitiligo[39]
notreportedpromotehairgrowthalopecia[88]
notreportedantiwrinklewrinkles[44,94]
AuthorContributions:A.K‐G.designedthereview;coordinatedandparticipatedinthewritingofallsections
andwroteAbstract,Sections1‐3,Section4.1,Section4.6andSection6andcollaboratedinthecreationofTable
1;M.G.wroteSection4.3andcreatedTables1and2andcollaboratedinthewritingofSection4.2;A.Rz‐S.wrote
Section4.2andcollaboratedinthewritingofSection5;R.B.wroteSection4.4andSection4.5;J.S.wrotethe
Section5.Allauthorswereinvolvedintheeditingprocess.Allauthorshavereadandagreedtothepublished
versionofthemanuscript.
Funding:ThisworkwasfundedbyMEDICALUNIVERSITYOFSILESIA,KATOWICE,POLANDgrantnumber
KNW‐1‐163/N/9/O.
Acknowledgments:TheauthorsthankstoMEDICALUNIVERSITYOFSILESIA,KATOWICE,POLANDand
SILESIANACADEMYOFMEDICALSCIENCESINKATOWICEfortheirfinancialsupport.
ConflictsofInterest:Theauthorsdeclarenoconflictofinterest.
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