Patent-Based Technological Overview of Propolis-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with Pharmaceutical Potential

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Science
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Propolis possesses medicinal properties but suffers from low aqueous solubility due to its hydrophobic nature, limiting oral bioavailability and therapeutic applications.
• Cyclodextrins (CDs), cyclic oligosaccharides, are effective carriers for improving the solubility and bioavailability of hydrophobic compounds like propolis.
• Patent literature offers insights into novel strategies for enhancing propolis's pharmaceutical potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review patents detailing innovative therapeutic approaches for propolis using cyclodextrin complexation.
• To analyze inventions that improve the physicochemical and biological properties of propolis via CD complexation.
• To identify emerging applications and extraction methods for propolis-CD systems.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of active and application patents over the last 17 years was conducted across multiple databases.
• Eight selected inventions were analyzed in detail to understand their technological innovations.
• The review focused on therapeutic applications, formulation strategies, and extraction processes described in the patents.

Main Results:

• Patents describe propolis-CD systems for treating diabetes, skin and gastrointestinal cancers, and for antimicrobial, immunostimulant, and antioxidant applications.
• Novel, organic solvent-free extraction methods, including nanometric-scale powder extracts, are presented.
• CD complexation demonstrably enhances propolis solubility and therapeutic efficacy, supported by scientific literature.

Conclusions:

• Cyclodextrin complexation is a validated strategy to improve propolis's pharmaceutical viability.
• Patented propolis-CD systems offer promising avenues for developing advanced pharmaceutical products.
• These innovations address limitations in propolis delivery and expand its therapeutic potential.