Bee venom therapy: Potential mechanisms and therapeutic applications

Zhang, Shuai; Liu, Yi; Ye, Yang; Wang, Xuerui; Lin, Li-Ting; Xiao, Ling-Yong; Zhou, Ping; Shi, Guang‐Xia; Liu, Cun‐Zhi

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.012

Cited by 154 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…Honeybees (Apis mellifera) produce and secrete a venom that has complex structure. The injection of bee venom into specific points on a body, a method which has been widely used as a complementary and alternative therapy for 3000 years, is called a bee venom therapy [1]. The composition of bee venom is very diverse.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melittin—A Natural Peptide from Bee Venom Which Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukaemia Cells

et al. 2020

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Bee venom is a very complex mixture produced and secreted by the honeybee (Apis mellifera). Melittin is a major component of bee venom that accounts for about 52% of its dry mass. A vast number of studies have been dedicated to the effects of melittin’s regulation of apoptosis and to the factors that induce apoptosis in various types of cancer such as breast, ovarian, prostate, lung. The latest evidence indicates its potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukaemia. The aim of our present study is to evaluate melittin’s ability to induce apoptosis in leukaemia cell lines of different origin acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CCRF-CEM) and chronic myelogenous leukaemia (K-562). We demonstrated that melittin strongly reduced cell viability in both leukaemia cell lines but not in physiological peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). Subsequent estimated parameters (mitochondrial membrane potential, Annexin V binding and Caspases 3/7 activity) clearly demonstrated that melittin induced apoptosis in leukaemia cells. This is a very important step for research into the development of new potential anti-leukaemia as well as anticancer therapies. Further analyses on the molecular level have been also planned (analysis of proapoptotic genes expression and DNA damages) for our next research project, which will also focus on melittin.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melittin—A Natural Peptide from Bee Venom Which Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukaemia Cells

et al. 2020

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“…It contains peptides (melittin, apamin, adolapamin and mast cell degranulating peptide), enzymes (phospholipase, hyaluranidase and lysophosphlipase), and nonpeptides such as histamine, dopamine and norepinephrine [13]. Bee venom was used in treating of rheumatoid arthritis, lateral sclerosis, atherosclerosis, parkinson's disease, liver fibrosis, and Alzheimer's disease [14]. This study is first research to use bee venom for biological tissue expansion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Honey Bee Venom for Tissue Expansion in Reconstructive Surgery

Lasheen¹

2018

MJCCS

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Background: Tissue expansion is one of effective weapon in reconstructive surgery field. But traditional tissue expansion needs much effort and associated by known complications. In this study, tissue expansion is obtained by natural honey bee venom. Material and Methods: Twenty patients suffering from lesions which needed to excise in different body area, were included in this study. The lesions sizes were varied from 2 × 3 cm to 4 × 7 cm in different parts of body. Bee sting was used to produce tissue expansion, one sting on both sides of lesion before excision by 24 to 48 hours. Local anesthesia was used to decrease pain sensation before bee sting by 30 minutes. Results: One bee sting was enough to produce tissue expansion in fine tissue of face. Two bee stings one on both longitudinal sides of lesion were enough to produce tissue expansion in other areas. Bee sting tissue expansion increases the tissue area by about 50%. All wounds after lesions excision were closed directly without any tension and healed well within 2 to 3 weeks. Conclusion: Tissue expansion by bee sting is easy, simple, safe, effective, and costless in moderate cases.

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“…Bee venom therapeutic effect can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects [7]. A cascade of reactions is produced once the bee venom enters the human body.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of bee venom therapy in animal model of statin-induced myopathy

Kader

Azmy

Maher

et al. 2019

Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg

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Background: Statin-induced myopathy is the most common adverse effect of statins. Bee venom provides a potential mean of controlling immune responses and inflammatory reactions; the proposed mechanisms for statininduced myopathy. Objective: The present study aimed at clarification of the role of the bee venom in prevention of statin-induced myopathy. Materials and methods: It was carried out on 30 Sprague-Dawley female rats. Rats were randomly classified into 3 groups: control group, statin group which received statins for 2 weeks, and venom group that was exposed to alternate day actual bee sting concurrent to statins administration for 2 weeks. Quantitative electromyography (QEMG) was performed as well as serum creatine kinase (CK) and cholesterol levels, in addition to in vitro muscle contractility tests. Results: QEMG and contractility tests showed significant changes in the statin group compared to both control and venom groups. Serum cholesterol level decreased with increase in CK levels in the statin and venom groups compared to controls; however, the CK level was significantly lower in the venom group as compared to the statin group. Conclusion: Bee venom therapy offers a simple and available means of prophylaxis against the myopathic effects induced by statins in animal model. However, it partly restricts the therapeutic effect of statins.

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Bee venom therapy: Potential mechanisms and therapeutic applications

Cited by 154 publications

References 89 publications

Melittin—A Natural Peptide from Bee Venom Which Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukaemia Cells

Melittin—A Natural Peptide from Bee Venom Which Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukaemia Cells

Natural Honey Bee Venom for Tissue Expansion in Reconstructive Surgery

Assessment of bee venom therapy in animal model of statin-induced myopathy

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