Evidence and Clinical Applications of Natural Products in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review of Clinoptilolite, Ozone Therapy, Propolis, and Phytotherapy

Fuente: PubMed "propolis"
Vet Sci. 2026 May 16;13(5):483. doi: 10.3390/vetsci13050483.ABSTRACTThe increasing demand for sustainable and antibiotic-free veterinary practices has stimulated interest in natural products such as clinoptilolite, ozone therapy, bee-derived products, and phytotherapy. This systematic review evaluates evidence from 2010 to 2026 regarding their clinical efficacy and mechanisms of action. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, Google Scholar, and regional veterinary journals using predefined keywords related to natural alternatives in veterinary medicine. These studies were critically appraised due to frequent methodological limitations, including lack of randomization and control groups. From 1124 identified records, 842 studies were screened after duplicates were removed, 214 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. A total of 96 studies meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. Clinoptilolite consistently improved gastrointestinal health and detoxification in livestock. Ozone therapy demonstrated broad antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, though standardized protocols are lacking. Bee-derived products, especially propolis exhibited strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, with variable clinical translation. Phytotherapy emerged as a promising alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Overall, the available evidence suggests that these natural interventions may serve as promising adjuncts in veterinary practice; however, their current application is constrained by heterogeneity, limited randomized controlled trials, and lack of standardized protocols. Consequently, they should be considered supportive rather than definitive alternatives to conventional therapies. Further well-designed, standardized clinical studies are required to confirm efficacy, optimize application, and support evidence-based integration into modern veterinary medicine.PMID:42188953 | PMC:PMC13211563 | DOI:10.3390/vetsci13050483