Formulation and Evaluation of Propolis Solid Dispersion Loaded Anti-inflammatory Cream with Molecular Docking and In-Vivo Animal Study

Propolis, a bioactive resin produced by bees, possesses significant anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties; however, its poor water solubility limits topical therapeutic applications. This study aimed to enhance the solubility and anti-inflammatory efficacy of propolis through solid dispersion (SD) technology using Kollisolv PEG-8000. Propolis SDs were prepared by the melting method using a 1:2 ratio of propolis to Kollisolv PEG-8000. The optimized SD was incorporated into a topical cream prepared and optimized using a central composite design. Molecular docking studies of major bioactive phytoconstituents identified in propolis were performed against TNF-α to support the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism. The optimized formulation exhibited 98.7% drug release, viscosity of 35,786 cPs, spreadability of 16.82 cm/s, and a 340-fold increase in aqueous solubility. In vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema studies demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity and TNF-suppression comparable to diclofenac gel. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of the selected flavonoids toward TNF-α. Overall, SD technology effectively enhanced the solubility and therapeutic performance of propolis, highlighting SD-based propolis cream as a promising natural alternative for topical inflammatory conditions.