The antibacterial activities of apitoxin, a venom produced by Apis mellifera bee, and melittin, an antimicrobial peptide from apitoxin, were tested against planktonic and biofilm states of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA), including clinical, and enterotoxin-producing isolates. Also, the synergism of apitoxin and melittin in combination with oxacillin were evaluated as well. The induced morphological changes on S. aureus cells of both products were detected by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 7.2 μg/mL, and 6.7 μg/mL, for apitoxin and melittin, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were 28.7 μg/mL, and 26 μg/mL for apitoxin and melittin, respectively. The time-kill curve assays of apitoxin or melittin with oxacillin exhibited bactericidal synergism against MRSA isolates. TEM images showed cell distortion, cell disintegration with leakage of cytoplasmic content and loss of cytoplasm content. However, apitoxin and melittin did not interfere with staphylococcal enterotoxin production or release. Thus, apitoxin and melittin are potential agents against MRSA that can serve as possible models for new antibacterial drugs.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104011 | DOI Listing |
Molecules
December 2024
Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, ul. Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland.
In this study, we explore the interactions between melittin, a cationic antimicrobial peptide, and model lipid membranes composed of the negatively charged phospholipids 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DMPG) and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine (DMPS). Using the Langmuir monolayer technique and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we reveal novel insights into these interactions. Our key finding is the observation of the ripple phase in the DMPS bilayer on mica, a phenomenon not previously reported for negatively charged single bilayers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
January 2025
Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition characterized by joint deterioration through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is prevalent worldwide. Bee venom (BV) has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine for pain, arthritis, rheumatism, skin diseases, etc. BV is enriched with active substances, notably melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), offering significant therapeutic potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBraz J Biol
January 2025
AL-Balqa Applied University, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Department of Plant Production and Protection, Al-Salt, Jordan.
Ethanolic extracts of seasonally collected natural bee products (honey, propolis, royal jelly (RJ), and bee venom (BV)) were tested for their potential as antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi. These extracts exhibited various inhibitory effects on antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Haemophilus influenzae) and fungi (Aspergillus brasiliensis and Candida albicans), with the exception of S. pneumonia, which was not inhibited by honey and RJ extracts, and P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosci Lett
January 2025
Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Cir, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. Electronic address:
In mammals, many Hymenopteran stings are characterized by pain, redness, and swelling - three manifestations consistent with nociceptive nerve fiber activation. The effect of a Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom on the activation of sensory C-fibers in mouse skin was studied using an innervated isolated mouse skin preparation that allows for intra-arterial delivery of chemicals to the nerve terminals in the skin. Our data show that honeybee venom stimulated mouse cutaneous nociceptive-like C-fibers, with an intensity (action potential discharge frequency) similar to that seen with a maximally-effective concentration of capsaicin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
November 2024
Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial agents. BP100, a short α-helical antimicrobial peptide (AMP) derived from cecropin A and melittin, has shown promise as a potential therapeutic. To enhance its efficacy, we designed and synthesized 16 tryptophan-substituted BP100 analogs based on helical wheel projections.
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