Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Propolis have been proven in many in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Propolis in comparison to placebo on liver functional indexes in patients with non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

This study was a double-blind clinical trial study in which 60 patients with NAFLD were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The first group received 500 mg of propolis two times a day and healthy life style education for 3 months and the second group received placebo along with the education in the same way. ultrasound and liver function tests were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention.

The results showed that patients who received Propolis showed a significant reduction in AST (P=0.03) and GGT (P=0.005) compared to its baseline level but the placebo group didn't (P>0.05). Also, After three months, the level of AST in Propolis and control groups decreased by 22% and 4%, respectively and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.04).

Propolis seemed to have an effect on improvement of liver functional indexes and it probably prevented the progression of NAFLD