Recently, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory efficacy of bee venom (BV, Apis mellifera) has been confirmed in rodent models of inflammation and arthritis. Interestingly, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of whole BV can be reproduced by two water-soluble fractions of BV (>20 kDa:BVAF1 and<10 kDa: BVAF3). Based on these scientific findings, BV and its effective water-soluble fractions have been proposed as potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive pharmaceuticals. While BV's anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties have been well documented, there have been no careful studies of potential, side effects of BV and its fractions when administered in the therapeutic range (BV, 5 microgram/kg; BVAF1, 0.2 microgram/kg: BVAF3, 3 microgram/kg; subcutaneous or intradermal). Such information is critical for future clinical use of BV in humans. Because of this paucity of information, the present study was designed to determine the general pharmacological/physiological effects of BV and its fractions administration on the rodent central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal system. Subcutaneous BV and its fractions treatment did not produce any significant effects on general physiological functions at the highest dose tested (200-fold and 100-fold doses higher than that used clinically, respectively) except writhing test. These results demonstrate that doses of BV or BV subfractions in the therapeutic range or higher can be used as safe antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents.
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World J Microbiol Biotechnol
January 2025
Microbiology, Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta City, 31527, Egypt.
Bee venom (BV) represents a promising natural alternative to conventional antibiotics, particularly significant given its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and potential to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms (AMR) is a global burden that affects human health and the economies of different countries. As a result, several scientific communities around the world are searching for safe alternatives to antibiotics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Chim Acta
February 2025
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Background: Bee venom consists of more than 50 % melittin (MLT), which has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Bee venom also contains toxic components such as phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and hyaluronidase (HYA), which cause allergic reactions, so the toxic components must be removed to use MLT. In previous studies, analytical methods were used to separate MLT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhytomedicine
January 2025
School of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address:
Background: Melittin, a major peptide component of bee venom, has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity across various preclinical cell models, making it a potential candidate for cancer therapy. However, its molecular mechanisms, particularly in ovarian cancer, remain largely unexplored. Ovarian cancer is a life-threatening gynecological malignancy with poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment options.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSensors (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Physics, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
The rapid and reliable detection of pathogenic bacteria remains a significant challenge in clinical microbiology. Consequently, the demand for simple and rapid techniques, such as antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based sensors, has recently increased as an alternative to traditional methods. Melittin, a broad-spectrum AMP, rapidly associates with the cell membranes of various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAllergol Immunopathol (Madr)
January 2025
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Firooz Abadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;
Background: Hymenoptera venom allergy is a potentially severe allergic reaction in the general population. The only preventative approach in these cases is venom immunotherapy (VIT), which follows different protocols. The recommended initial dose is 0.
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