First Characterization of The Venom from <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i>, A Honeybee from The Middle East Region

Bee venom is a mixture of several components with proven therapeutic benefits, among which are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and various cardiovascular conditions. In this work, we analyzed for the first time the proteomic content and biological properties of the crude venom from <i>Apis melli...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jacinthe Frangieh, Yahya Salma, Katia Haddad, Cesar Mattei, Christian Legros, Ziad Fajloun, Dany El Obeid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
Series:Toxins
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/11/4/191
Description
Summary:Bee venom is a mixture of several components with proven therapeutic benefits, among which are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and various cardiovascular conditions. In this work, we analyzed for the first time the proteomic content and biological properties of the crude venom from <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i>, a honeybee from the Middle East region. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we evidence the venom contains phospholipase A2, hyaluronidase, mast cell-degranulating peptide, adolapin, apamin, and melittin. The latter was purified by solid phase extraction method (SPE) and tested in parallel with crude venom for biological activities. Precisely, crude venom&#8212;but not melittin&#8212;exhibited antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> strains. Alongside, hemolytic activity was observed in human blood subjected to the venom at high doses. <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom displayed antioxidant activities, and not surprisingly, PLA2 catalytic activity. Eventually, the venom proved to exert antiproliferative effects against MCF-7 and 3T3 cancer cells lines. This first report of a new bee venom opens new avenues for therapeutic uses of bee venoms.
ISSN:2072-6651