Hong J, Lu X, Deng Z, Xiao S, Yuan B, Yang K. How melittin inserts into cell membrane: conformational changes, inter-peptide cooperation, and disturbance on the membrane. Molecules. (2019) 24:1775. doi: 10.3390/molecules24091775 One of the most well-documented benefits of bee venom is its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Many of its components have been shown to reduce inflammation, particularly melittin — its main component. Antonicelli L, Bilò MB, Bonifazi F. Epidemiology of hymenoptera allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. (2002) 2:341–6. doi: 10.1097/00130832-200208000-00008 Bee venom is POSSIBLY SAFE when given by live bee stings. Live bee stings have been safely administered under medical supervision in doses up to 20 bee stings three times weekly for up to 24 weeks.

Certain methods of bee-venom therapy, including acupuncture, can lead to side effects, such as pain, swelling, and redness. Bellinghausen I, Metz G, EnkA H, Christmann S, Knop J, Saloga J. Insect venom immunotherapy induces interleukin-10 production and a Th2-to-Th1 shift, and changes surface marker expression in venom-allergic subjects. Eur J Immunol. (1997). 27:1131–9. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830270513 Melittin — a compound that consists of 26 amino acids — comprises about 50% of the dry weight of the venom and has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer effects in some studies ( 1, 2). BV therapy can alleviate immune-related illnesses. Group III secretory phospholipase A 2 from BV (BV group III sPLA 2) shows in vitro and in vivo activity on the immune system and has been used to manage asthma, Parkinson's disease, and drug-induced organ inflammation ( 69). BV immune reactions can be dangerous when highly elevated, but when controlled, allergic immunity can be advantageous in host defense to stimulate type 2 immune responses. Type 2 immunity is mainly based on barrier defenses, and these responses are initiated by T helper type 2 (T H2) cells, immunoglobulins E and G1 (IgE and IgG1) antibodies, and other components of the innate immune system (epithelial barriers, innate lymphoid cells-ILCs, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, and activated macrophages) ( 68). The innate immune system senses components of venom, inducing a defensive immune response against antigens through pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), e.g., Toll-like receptors found on pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) ( 70). BV anti-inflammatory properties ( 44) may inhibit the activity of inflammatory antigens, reduce the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells, and inhibit the expression of (TNF)-α, IL-1β, Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and CD14 expression, suppressing the binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein (AP)-1 ( 71). The main Bet V 1 allergen, PLA2, stimulates the innate immune system, binding to PRRs, e.g., Toll-like receptors that recognize PAMPs, triggering a type 2 immune response in mice. PLA2 in BV induces T helper type 2 (Th2) cell-type reactions and group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) activation via the enzymatic cleavage of membrane phospholipids and secretion of IL-33. PLA2 induces the production of IgE, protecting mice from future allergic/immunologic reactions in the case of a lethal dose of BV ( 70); PLA2 plays a critical role in host defense by improving Th2 differentiation, ILC2 activation, immunoglobulin production, membrane remodeling, and anti-inflammatory reactions ( 44, 70). Bee Venom Vaccines Reber LL, Hernandez JD, Galli SJ. The pathophysiology of anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2017) 140:335–48. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.06.003Ji Y, Ma Z, Peppelenbosch MP, Pan Q. Potential association between COVID-19 mortality and health-care resource availability. Lancet GlobHealth. (2020) 8:e480. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30068-1

It contains both anti-inflammatory and inflammatory compounds, including enzymes, sugars, minerals, and amino acids ( 1). Park JH, Kim JG, Cha SH, Park SD. Eosinophilic foreign body granuloma after multiple self-administered bee stings. Br J Dermatol 1998,139(6):1102-5. View abstract.

Ghosh R, Chatterjee S, Dubey S, Lavie CJ. Famotidine against SARS-CoV2: a hope or hype? Mayo Clin Proc. (2020) 95:1797–9. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.05.027

Bachmayer H, Kreil G, Suchanek G. Synthesis of promelittin and melittin in the venom gland of queen and worker bees: patterns observed during maturation. J Insect Physiol. (1972) 18:1515–21. doi: 10.1016/0022-1910(72)90230-2 Gennari C, Agnusdei D, Crepaldi G, et al. Effect of ipriflavone-a synthetic derivative of natural isoflavones-on bone mass loss in the early years after menopause. Menopause 1998;5:9-15. View abstract.Bee venom is a colorless, acidic liquid. Bees excrete it through their stingers into a target when they feel threatened. of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda Lima PR, de Brochetto-Braga MR. Hymenoptera venom review focusing on Apis mellifera. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. (2003) 9:149–62. doi: 10.1590/S1678-91992003000200002 Mosbech H, Muller U. Side-effects of insect venom immunotherapy: results from an EAACI multicenter study. Allergy 2000;55:1005-10. View abstract.