Antifungal Effects of Bee Venom Components onTrichophyton rubrum: A Novel Approach of Bee Venom Study for Possible Emerging Antifungal Agent

Abstract

BackgroundBee venom (BV) has been widely investigated for potential medical uses. Recent inadvertent uses of BV based products have shown to mitigate signs of fungal infections. However, the component mediating the antifungal effect has not been identified.ObjectiveThis investigation compares bee venom in its whole and partial forms to evaluate the possible component responsible for the antifungal effect.MethodsForty-eight plates inoculated with Trichophyton rubrum were allocated into four groups. The groups were treated with raw BV (RBV), melittin, apamin and BV based mist (BBM) respectively and each group was further allocated accordingly to three different concentrations. The areas were measured every other day for 14 days to evaluate the kinetic changes of the colonies.ResultsThe interactions of ratio differences over interval were confirmed in groups treated with RBV and BBM. In RBV, the level of differences were achieved in groups treated with 10 mg/100 µl (p=0.026) and 40 mg/100 µl (p=0.000). The mean difference of ratio in groups treated with RBV was evident in day 3 and day 5. The groups that were treated with melittin or apamin did not show any significant interaction. In BBM groups, the significant levels of ratio differences over time intervals were achieved in groups treated with 200 µl/100 µl (p=0.000) and 300 µl/100 µl (p=0.030).ConclusionThe the bee venom in its whole form delivered a significant level of inhibition and we concluded that the venom in separated forms are not effective. Moreover, BV based products may exert as potential antifungal therapeutics.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Bee Venom on Skin Disease and Its Mechanisms: A Literature Review

“…In the study of Park et al that investigated the antifungal effects of BV, mellitin, apamin, and BV-based mists on T. rubrum indicated that BV and BV-based mist exhibited strong antifungal effect on T. rubrum . However, the isolated BV components, such as mellitin and apamin, showed no significant effect in hindering the growth of the fungal colonies [101].…”

Cytotoxic Effect of Bee (A. mellifera) Venom on Cancer Cell Lines

“…Melittin displays strong membrane-perturbing activity, which is responsible for its anti-microbial [ 13 ], antiviral [ 14 ], antifungal [ 15 ], and anticancer [ 16 ] activities. When several melittin molecules penetrate into the cell membrane, they break down the phospholipids leading to cell lysis.…”

Bee venom: a case of effectiveness on skin varicosities veins with review of its dermatological benefits

“…Concerning the pigment disorders, the bee venom seems to intervene as well in the negative and positive regulation of the melanogenesis, thus according to certain authors and in addition to its anti-aging and brightening effect, the venom of bee inhibits the enzymes of melanogenesis including tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 and 2 (TRP-1 and TRP-2) and inhibit the effect of alpha MSH on melanoma B16F1 cells [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], and according to other authors, bee venom stimulates proliferation of human melanocytes, melanogenesis, proliferation of dendrites and migration and transfer of melanosomes [8].…”

“…Sporadic studies show the interest of bee venom in the improvement of acne lesions, in the treatment of onychomycosis and in the regulation of the immune system in general [11][12][13].…”