Can Propolis Help Fight Cancer? What an Iraqi Study Reveals
At Manuka Natural we’ve followed propolis research for many years – especially work on New Zealand propolis, which is known to contain some of the highest levels of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE). CAPE is one of the key bioactive compounds repeatedly highlighted in laboratory (in vitro) cancer studies for its anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activity.
In this article, we look at a detailed study on Iraqi propolis and what it tells us about the potential of propolis as a natural support in cancer care – and how this fits with the growing interest in high-CAPE propolis from countries such as New Zealand.
If you’re new to propolis, you might like to know that we stock carefully sourced New Zealand propolis in both a concentrated tincture and convenient capsule form: Propolis Tincture – Natural Immune Support and Propolis Capsules 3500. These are not cancer medicines, but they are rich in the same kinds of polyphenols and CAPE-like compounds that are being studied around the world.
First, what exactly is propolis?
Propolis – also known as “bee glue” – is a sticky, plant-based resin that honeybees use to seal and protect their hives. For centuries it has been used in traditional medicine, and in recent decades scientists have started asking a big question: could propolis help in the fight against cancer?
Propolis is made when bees collect resins from tree buds and plant sap, then mix them with wax and their own enzymes. The result is a complex, antioxidant-rich material packed with:
- Polyphenols and flavonoids (powerful plant antioxidants)
- Aromatic acids and their esters (including CAPE and related compounds)
- Essential oils, waxes, and trace vitamins and minerals
These compounds are thought to give propolis its wide range of biological activities – including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and, in many experimental models, anticancer effects.
Why did researchers study Iraqi propolis and cancer?
The study we’re summarising here focused on propolis collected in the Mosul region of Iraq. The researchers wanted to see whether this particular propolis extract could:
- Slow down the growth of cancer cells
- Trigger cancer cells to die (a process called apoptosis)
- Have any effect on actual tumours growing in animals
- Do all this without causing obvious harm to healthy tissues
To answer these questions, they designed experiments both in vitro (on cancer cells in the lab) and in vivo (in mice carrying human tumour cells).
How was the research done?
1. Tests on cancer cells in the lab
The scientists used two well-known human cancer cell lines:
- HL-60 – a type of human leukemia (blood cancer) cell
- HCT-116 – a human colorectal (bowel) cancer cell
They exposed these cells to different concentrations of Iraqi propolis extract and then measured:
- How fast the cells were multiplying
- Whether the cells were dying, and by what mechanism
- What was happening to the cell cycle (the normal “grow and divide” rhythm of cells)
- Signs of DNA damage inside the cells
2. Tests in tumour-bearing mice
In the animal part of the study, mice were implanted with HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells so that tumours would grow. Once the tumours were established, the mice were given Iraqi propolis by mouth at doses that did not cause visible toxicity. The researchers then examined:
- How the tumour cells were dividing
- Markers of tumour growth and stress in tumour tissue
- Any obvious side-effects in the animals
What did the study find?
1. Propolis slowed cancer cell growth
In both leukemia (HL-60) and colorectal cancer (HCT-116) cells, Iraqi propolis significantly reduced cell growth and colony formation. In simple terms, the cancer cells multiplied more slowly when exposed to the propolis extract.
2. It triggered cancer cell death – in different ways
The study found that Iraqi propolis could actually push cancer cells towards death, but the mechanism was slightly different in each cell type:
- In HL-60 leukemia cells, the main effect was apoptosis – a kind of tidy, programmed cell death. Propolis shifted the balance between “pro-survival” and “pro-death” proteins inside the cell: it reduced Bcl-2 (a protein that helps cells stay alive) and increased Bax (a protein that promotes cell death).
- In HCT-116 colon cancer cells, the cells showed more necrotic features: swelling, loss of membrane integrity, and cell rupture. The end result is similar – the cancer cells die – but via a more chaotic route.
From a lay perspective: propolis seemed to push cancer cells past their limits so they could no longer survive or divide normally.
3. It interfered with the cancer cell cycle and damaged cancer-cell DNA
The researchers also looked at the cell cycle, the series of steps cells go through as they grow and prepare to divide. They found that Iraqi propolis caused cell cycle disturbances, meaning cancer cells could no longer move smoothly through the stages required to divide and multiply.
In HL-60 cells, exposure to propolis increased a marker called γ-H2AX, which is associated with DNA damage. This suggests that the extract may stress or damage cancer-cell DNA, which can trigger the self-destruct (apoptosis) program inside the cell.
4. In mice, orally given propolis affected tumours – without obvious toxicity
In the mouse model of colorectal cancer, oral Iraqi propolis showed several encouraging effects:
- Fewer mitotic cells – fewer cells caught in the process of dividing
- More endoreduplication – abnormal DNA replication without proper cell division, which weakens the tumour
- Increased p53 – p53 is often called the “guardian of the genome”; higher levels are usually linked to increased tumour-suppressor activity
- Decreased Ki-67 – Ki-67 is a common marker of how aggressively tumour cells are multiplying; lower levels suggest slower growth
Importantly, the doses used in the animals were described as causing no detectable toxicity – the mice tolerated the treatment without clear signs of harm, at least within the scope of the study.
Taken together, this gives a picture of propolis as a natural substance that, in this model: slows tumour cell growth, interferes with their ability to divide properly, and pushes them towards cell death – without obvious short-term toxicity.
Where CAPE and New Zealand propolis fit in
The Iraqi propolis used in this study has its own unique chemical “fingerprint”, but the overall picture matches what has been seen in many other studies: a rich mix of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and bioactive compounds that can act on cancer cells through multiple pathways.
New Zealand propolis is especially interesting because it has been shown in independent testing to contain very high levels of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), one of the most widely studied propolis components in in vitro cancer research. CAPE has been reported to:
- Interfere with cancer cell signalling pathways
- Reduce inflammation that can support tumour growth
- Support apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells
While each country’s propolis is different, these findings suggest that well-characterised, high-CAPE propolis extracts – such as those from New Zealand – are strong candidates for further research in supportive oncology.
If you’re curious about daily New Zealand propolis as a general wellness support, you can explore:
These products are designed for general immune and antioxidant support and are not claimed to treat or cure cancer, but they sit within the same family of propolis research that makes this field so exciting.
So, does this mean propolis is a natural cure for cancer?
Not yet – and it is very important to be clear about this.
The Iraqi propolis study was done on cancer cells in a dish and in mice. These are called preclinical models. They are essential first steps, but they are not the same as clinical trials in humans.
What this research really tells us is that:
- Propolis has genuine, measurable anticancer activity in lab and animal models
- It works through biologically plausible mechanisms (cell-cycle arrest, DNA damage in cancer cells, apoptosis, reduced tumour proliferation)
- It may be safe enough in animals at certain doses to justify further investigation in people
Many other studies on propolis from different countries – including New Zealand – have reported similar lab findings: propolis extracts can slow cancer cell growth, trigger apoptosis, and sometimes enhance the effects of conventional chemotherapy drugs – again, mainly in cell and animal models.
Because of this, researchers are increasingly interested in propolis as a potential supportive or complementary option to be studied alongside mainstream cancer therapies – not as a replacement for them.
What could this mean for people living with cancer?
Although we cannot claim that propolis “treats” or “cures” cancer in humans based on this study alone, the findings do support a few key ideas:
- Propolis is a serious candidate for further research in oncology, not just a folk remedy.
- Its ability to target cancer cells through multiple mechanisms (cell-cycle disruption, DNA damage in tumour cells, apoptosis) makes it scientifically interesting as a potential adjunct to standard care.
- When properly sourced and used responsibly, propolis may in future play a role as part of a broader, integrative approach to cancer support – especially for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical trials in humans are still relatively limited, and more work is needed to determine:
- Optimal doses and formulations
- Which cancer types are most responsive
- How best to combine propolis with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted drugs
- Long-term safety and interactions with other medicines
Important safety notes
Because of the sensitive nature of cancer treatment, a few cautions are essential:
- Never stop or change prescribed cancer treatment in favour of propolis or any other supplement without talking to your oncologist or healthcare team.
- Propolis can cause allergic reactions in some people, especially those who are allergic to bee products or certain pollens.
- High-strength extracts can interact with medications in ways that are not yet fully understood.
- If you are considering using propolis as a complementary support, discuss it with a qualified health professional who understands both your medical history and your current treatment plan.
The bottom line: propolis is promising, but it should be viewed as a potential natural complement to, not a replacement for, standard cancer care.
Take-home message
The Iraqi propolis study adds to a growing body of evidence that propolis has genuine anticancer activity in preclinical models. It slowed the growth of leukemia and colorectal cancer cells, pushed them towards cell death, disrupted their cell cycle, and showed beneficial effects on tumours in mice – all without obvious toxicity at the tested doses.
For now, these results should be seen as an encouraging scientific foundation rather than proof of a cure. They support continued research into high-quality, well-characterised propolis extracts – including the high-CAPE propolis found in New Zealand – as potential natural partners to conventional cancer therapies in the years ahead.
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