Propolis add-on therapy alleviates depressive symptoms; A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Almost half of the treatments with common antidepressants are failed or result in a relapse of symptoms after cessation. Moreover, the antidepressants side effects rationalize the use of complementary medicine as an adjunctive therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of propolis in complementary therapy of depressive disorder. Chromatography technics were used to detect propolis components. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was designed, and 54 participants were randomly assigned to receive either propolis or Placebo for 6 weeks. Treatment was defined as a decrease in 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Beck depression inventory (BDI). On D42, there was a significant reduction in HAMD score in the propolis group compared with the placebo group (p < .0001). HAMD score significantly decreased in the propolis group from 20.92 ± 3.77 on D0 to 10.03 ± 5.55 on D42, and BDI score was improved from 29.25 ± 3.06 on D0 to 14.17 ± 4.86 on D42. Our findings confirmed that complementary treatment of propolis with SSRIs could safely attenuate symptoms of moderate-severe MDD. These antidepressant effects might result from the rich phenolic acids and flavonoids content of Azerbaijan propolis.