Brazilian Green Propolis and Essential Oil Residues Improve Metabolic Dysfunction by Modulating Key Hepatic Lipogenic...

Obesity is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis and contributing to the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD). Propolis is a bee-derived natural product rich in bioactive compounds and widely recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. This study evaluated the effects of Brazilian green propolis, a hydroalcoholic green propolis extract, and a residue-derived extract obtained from the essential oil extraction process on high-fat diet-induced MASLD in male C57BL/6 mice. Animals were allocated into five groups: control diet (10% fat), high-fat (HF) diet (50% fat), HF supplemented with green propolis (HFGP, 2%), HF supplemented with green propolis extract (HFGPE, 2%), and HF supplemented with green propolis residue (HFGPR, 2%) for 12 weeks. Chemical analysis identified artepillin C as a major constituent in both extracts. Supplementation with Brazilian green propolis and its derivatives significantly reduced body weight gain, improved lipid profile and glycemic control, and exerted marked antioxidant effects. In addition, propolis supplementation downregulated the expression of key lipogenic genes and promoted a pronounced anti-inflammatory response, resulting in a significant attenuation of hepatic steatosis. Collectively, these findings indicate that Brazilian green propolis effectively mitigates obesity-induced metabolic disturbances and tissue damage. Notably, residue-derived extracts from the essential oil extraction process represent a sustainable, cost-effective, and promising therapeutic strategy for obesity and its associated metabolic complications.