Characterization, antimicrobial and antitumor activity of superoxide dismutase extracted from Egyptian honeybee venom (Apis mellifera lamarckii).

Background: Superoxide dismutase is an important antioxidative stress enzyme which is found in honeybee venom and has a wide pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Results: We reported the purification and characterization of venom SOD from Egyptian honeybee Apis mellifera lamarckii and termed BVSOD. It was purified to homogeneity from the Egyptian honeybee venom.

Phospholipase A2 enzyme from the venom of Egyptian honey bee Apis mellifera lamarckii with anti-platelet aggregation and anti-coagulation activities.

Background: Honey bee venom contains various enzymes with wide medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Results: The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has been apparently purified from the venom of Egyptian honey bee (Apis mellifera lamarckii) 8.9-fold to a very high specific activity of 6033 U/mg protein using DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300 columns.