Propolis, derived from the resin of a cactus-like plant native to Morocco, has been found to improve cognitive functions in cases of chronic mild stress. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, propolis produced by Euphorbia resinifera, a species of spurge native to the slopes of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, helped male rats overcome cognitive problems related to stress. Published in September by the peer-reviewed journal SpringerLink, the study reveals that exposure to stress during early life stages, such as prepuberty and adolescence, can impact brain development and lead to memory and learning difficulties in adulthood. The study aimed to explore whether propolis supplementation could mitigate these negative effects. The researchers monitored 18 adult male rats divided into three groups: the control group received normal care, the stressed group was exposed to two stressors per day for 6 weeks, and the third group also underwent 6 weeks of stress but was then given propolis extract (200 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. To assess the outcomes, researchers conducted object recognition and maze tests to evaluate memory, examined social behaviors, and analyzed brain tissue for changes. The results showed that «15 days of propolis supplementation improved memory performance in stressed rats by maintaining the integrity of hippocampal neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions». Additionally, the study stated that «propolis extract exerted an enhancement effect on memory performance and a regulatory action on social activity, restraining the damage in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus». In summary, propolis appeared to have a protective effect on the brain and memory, reducing the damage caused by chronic stress.
