Artepillin C-rich propolis extract supplementation promotes muscle recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage in resistance-trained young females: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Authors

Olavo João Frederico Ramos Junior, Natália Soares Veiga, Andresa Aparecida Berretta, Thiago Silveira Alvares

Published in

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Volume 22. Issue 1. Pages 2569908. Epub Oct 11, 2025.

Abstract

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results from intense or unaccustomed exercise, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced muscle function due to excessive reactive oxygen species. Propolis, a natural bee-derived substance rich in bioactive coumpounds such as artepillin-c, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting its potential to mitigate EIMD. This study investigated the effect of a standardized Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF) on recovery from EIMD, which is characterized by muscle soreness, reduced function, and lower muscle quality.
Twenty-two trained female participants were randomly assigned to consume eight capsules of EPP-AF (containing approximately 54 mg artepillin C) or a placebo (PLA) for seven days. On day four, participants performed 10 sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensor muscles. Maximal voluntary isokinetic torque (MVIT), muscle thickness (MT), muscle ultrasound echo intensity (EI), and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were assessed before and at 2 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-EIMD.
The EIMD protocol significantly increased MT (p = 0.031), EI (p = 0.013), and DOMS (p < 0.001) while reducing MVIT (p < 0.001). Compared to placebo, EPP-AF supplementation attenuated DOMS (p < 0.001), mitigated increases in MT (p = 0.025) and EI (p = 0.043), and accelerated MVIT recovery (p = 0.037) in the days following days of eccentric exercise compared to placebo.
EPP-AF may alleviate the symptoms and attenuate markers of muscle damage in the knee extensor muscles of resistance-trained females. These findings highlight the potential of propolis as a natural intervention to enhance recovery from EIMD.

PMID:
41074544
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Oct 2025.

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