Bee Updated: Current Knowledge on Bee Venom and Bee Envenoming Therapy

Abstract

Honey bees can be found all around the world and fulfill key pollination roles within their natural ecosystems, as well as in agriculture. Most species are typically docile, and most interactions between humans and bees are unproblematic, despite their ability to inject a complex venom into their victims as a defensive mechanism. Nevertheless, incidences of bee stings have been on the rise since the accidental release of Africanized bees to Brazil in 1956 and their subsequent spread across the Americas. These bee hybrids are more aggressive and are prone to attack, presenting a significant healthcare burden to the countries they have colonized. To date, treatment of such stings typically focuses on controlling potential allergic reactions, as no specific antivenoms against bee venom currently exist. Researchers have investigated the possibility of developing bee antivenoms, but this has been complicated by the very low immunogenicity of the key bee toxins, which fail to induce a strong antibody response in the immunized animals. However, with current cutting-edge technologies, such as phage display, alongside the rise of monoclonal antibody therapeutics, the development of a recombinant bee antivenom is achievable, and promising results towards this goal have been reported in recent years. Here, current knowledge on the venom biology of Africanized bees and current treatment options against bee envenoming are reviewed. Additionally, recent developments within next-generation bee antivenoms are presented and discussed.

Toxicological Risk Assessment of the Accidental Ingestion of a Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Present in Food

“…Honeybee venom is composed of peptides, including melittin, apamin, and mast cell degranulating peptide (MCDP), the enzymes phospholipase A 2 and hyaluronidase, and biogenic amines (histamine, dopamine, and noradrenaline) ( 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 ) ( Table 1 ). Many other compounds were identified in the venom, but they are unlikely to possess toxicological importance.…”

“…The peptide melittin is the most abundant toxin in honeybee venom, comprising ~40 to 60% of the dry weight of this venom, consisting of a basic 26-amino-acid polypeptide ( 12 , 15 , 16 ). Melittin monomers bind to lipid membranes producing pores, exerting a cytotoxic effect ( 17 , 18 ).…”

“…Furthermore, it acts synergistically with the enzyme phospholipase A 2 , promoting damage to the cellular and mitochondrial membranes of various cell types. Arachidonic acid may be released because of cell damage ( 10 , 15 ). This peptide is probably the major responsible for the bee venom-induced pain through direct and indirect activation of primary nociceptor cells ( 16 ).…”

Nanotechnology mediated bee venom: Applications in rheumatoid arthritis

“…This peptide makes up 50-60% of the venom and is the main component responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom [2]. Other important components of the venom include Phospholipase A2, Apamin, and Mast Cell Degranulating (MCD) peptide, these are found in a lesser amount but can also aid in lessening the symptoms of some common diseases [3]. Although each of these, and many other components of bee venom, can be beneficial in the right amounts, the varying ways that venom has been applied to specific illnesses requires a different function of the bee venom.…”

The Sting's the Thing

“…Multiple stings may be lethal -a non-allergic human with a body weight around 60-70 kg has a 50% chance of death when stung by 1,000-1,500 bees. [4] Allergic responses include anaphylactic shock.…”