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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Harvesting Venom Toxins from Assassin Bugs and Other Heteropteran Insects
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Bee Venom: Composition and Anticancer Properties.

Goran Gajski1, Elina Leonova2, Nikolajs Sjakste2,3

  • 1Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.

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|March 27, 2024
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Summary

Bee venom (BV) and its component melittin show potent antitumor effects against various cancer cells, with minimal impact on normal cells. Further research is needed to determine safe therapeutic dosages and exposure routes.

Keywords:
anticancer propertiesapitherapyapitoxinbee venommelittinnatural productsphospholipase A2therapeutic application

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Bee venom (BV) and its primary component, melittin (MEL), are utilized in traditional medicine.
  • Apitherapy, the use of bee products for health, has a long history.
  • Current research highlights the potential of BV and MEL in cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the antitumor effects of bee venom (BV) and melittin (MEL).
  • To explore the mechanisms of action of BV and MEL against cancer cells.
  • To identify key areas for future research regarding therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on bee venom and melittin.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines.
  • Examination of proposed molecular mechanisms, including apoptosis induction.

Main Results:

  • BV and MEL exhibit significant toxicity towards diverse cancer cells (liver, lung, breast, etc.).
  • Normal cells show less pronounced sensitivity to BV and MEL.
  • Mechanisms involve proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis induction via PLA2, caspases, and MMPs.

Conclusions:

  • Bee venom and melittin demonstrate promising anticancer properties.
  • Understanding molecular pathways, especially apoptosis triggers, is crucial.
  • Further investigation into safe dosage, administration routes, and potential side effects is necessary for clinical application.