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Influence of apitoxin and melittin from Apis mellifera bee on Staphylococcus aureus strains

Ana Flávia Marques Pereira1, Mariana Albano1, Fernanda Cristina Bérgamo Alves1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, São Paulo State University, 18618-691, Brazil.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|February 1, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Apitoxin and melittin, derived from bee venom, show potent antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These natural compounds, especially when combined with oxacillin, offer promising potential for new MRSA drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat due to its resistance to conventional antibiotics.
  • The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic agents.
  • Bee venom (apitoxin) and its primary component, melittin, possess known antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antibacterial activity of apitoxin and melittin against planktonic and biofilm MRSA.
  • To assess the synergistic effects of apitoxin and melittin in combination with oxacillin.
  • To investigate the morphological changes induced by apitoxin and melittin in MRSA cells.

Main Methods:

  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays.
  • Time-kill curve assays to evaluate synergistic effects with oxacillin.
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for morphological analysis of MRSA cells.

Main Results:

  • Apitoxin and melittin demonstrated significant antibacterial activity with low MIC and MBC values against MRSA.
  • Combination therapy with oxacillin showed bactericidal synergism against MRSA isolates.
  • TEM revealed cell distortion, disintegration, and cytoplasmic leakage upon treatment with apitoxin and melittin.

Conclusions:

  • Apitoxin and melittin are effective against both planktonic and biofilm MRSA.
  • These bee venom components exhibit synergistic effects with oxacillin, enhancing bactericidal activity.
  • Apitoxin and melittin represent promising candidates for the development of novel antibacterial agents against MRSA.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial peptidesBee venomEnterotoxin-producing S. aureusMRSAMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusantibacterial activity

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