Propolis as an Antiseptic

Numerous topical and hard-surface uses necessitate the widespread use of disinfectants and antiseptics in healthcare facilities. Alcohols, phenols, iodine, and chlorine are just a few of the biocides included in these goods. Many of these agents have a long history of usage. More information on these active compounds’ mechanism of action than antibiotics is needed. However, the majority of them show broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Specifically, they help prevent nosocomial infections and are integral to infection control procedures (Larson EL. Antiseptics. In Olmstad RN (ed) APIC infection control & applied epidemiology: principles & practices. Mosby-Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, pp. 19-1–19-7, G1–G17, 1996; Rutala WA. Am J Infect Control 23:313–342, 1995). People use more antiseptics and disinfectants because they worry about microbial contamination and illness hazards in food and other consumer goods. Antisepsis, disinfection, and preservation have long made use of the various active chemical agents (or “biocides”) included in these goods (Block SS. Historical review. In Block SS (ed) Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, pp. 3–17, 1991). Regardless, compared to antibiotics, more needs to be understood regarding the mechanism of action of these active medicines. Typically, biocides are more versatile than antibiotics, and unlike antibiotics, which often target particular intracellular locations, biocides can potentially target several places simultaneously. Some have speculated that microbial resistance, especially cross-resistance to antibiotics, may develop due to the extensive use of disinfection and antiseptic products.