Honey bees make a mixture of resin and wax which is known as propolis in order to seal and sterilize their hives. Propolis is known for its anti-microbial, anti-fungal, a strong anti-oxidant, non-allergenic and can improve the immune system. Scientists from the University of Bradford’s Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science have now introduced means to purify propolis in such a way that its medicinal properties remain as it is, but can dissolve in water and exclude its pungent smell.
This technique probably aids in developing a new mouth ulcer gel and various other pharmaceutical as well as nutraceutical applications. The introduced propolis-based mouth ulcer gel is supposedly equipped with enhanced anaesthetic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties than currently available gels. This gel also appears safe for children use.
Professor Anant Paradkar, Centre Director and lead researcher and colleagues believe that mouth gels many a times have adhesion to the skin membrane inside the mouth. Propolis may retain some of its stickiness even in a water soluble formulation when it is applied to specific areas in the mouth. Therefore, it is more beneficial in treating mouth ulcers.