What is Bee Venom
Bee venom is also called as apitoxin, Honey bees have a sting which allows them to inject venomous substances into the body of an opponent or attacker.
Why Honeybees make Venom:
Bee sting is an important weapon that honey bees use for self-defense, the sting originates from a modified ovipositor, it only occurs in female bees. Bee venom is produced in poison glands in the abdominal cavity. Approximately 0.3 mg bee venom is produced in the venom sac. Bees inject the poison with their stings into the body of opponent.
How it is made (collection):
Bee venom is commercially obtained by the use of electric shock. Electrically-equipped glass trays are placed in front of the bee hives. An electric current is passed through copper wires at 6 to 12 volts. The bees get shock, irritated and release venom, the bees deposit their poisons on the glass tray. The bee venom then comes into contact with the air, and quickly dries and crystallizes. The amorphous bee venom, also known as raw venom, is a dirty yellow in color, and is either crystallized or directly stored in deep freezers
Coposition:
Bee venom mainly consists of melittin, apamin, MCD peptide, histamine, hyaluronidase, and phospholipase-A2 . Honeybee venom consists of numerous enzymes, peptides, and proteins, a variety of smaller molecules (amino acids, catecholamine's, sugars, and minerals), and lipids, although the main components are proteins and peptides. The main peptides and proteins are melittin, apamin, MCD peptide, secapine, pamine, minimine, adolapine, procamine A, B, protease inhibitor, tertiapine, cardiopep, and melittin. The main pharmacological component of bee venom, constituting approximately 50% of its dry matter, is melittin.
Action on body
It has also been reported to possess many biological active properties in humans including the immune system, central and peripheral nervous system, and cardiovascular system, antibacterial, fungicide, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antiarthritis, antitumoral, and antimicrobial
Antimicrobial:
Many studies have reported that melittin is a very active peptide exhibiting antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumoral and antiparasitic activities. Acts against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Anti-inflammatory:
Helps reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Antioxidant:
Contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds that neutralize free radicals.
Immune-boosting:
In some cases, bee sting leads to an increase in specific immunoglobulins(IgE), specific cytokines, by over-stimulating the immune system, Low doses acts as Very good immune-modulator.
Melittin has also been shown to exhibit a variety of anticancer effects, either in preclinical cell culture or animal model systems, including lung cancer cells and ovarian cancer cells, angiogenesis of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 , prostate cancer cells, and liver cancer cells.
Bee venom and melittin are of significant potential in the treatment of autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis), and some neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and ALS, and potential for use in acupuncture and homeopathy
Studies have also demonstrated that bee venom is an allergen agent also responsible for allergic disorders, such as asthma, allergic rhino conjunctivitis, and atopic eczema, through the generation of allergen-specific CD4 + T cells .
Types of Bee venom:
Melittin content is vary based on the bee species leading to differences in color, composition, and bioactive compounds. In India important sources are Apis cerana and ApIis mellifera
Who discovered Bee venom Therapy:
Apitherapy has been practiced since the times of Hippocrates and Gallen. Modern use of bee venom appears to have originated in 1859 by Frenchphysician, in 1868 Russian Physician, 1888 by Austrian physician. 1957 USSR Ministry of Health approved the use of Bee venom therapy in certain elements. In 2003 Dr. Christopher Kim patented the first standardized form of injectable bee venom under the name apitoxin.
Benefits of Bee Venom:
Cosmetics:
Found in creams and serums, as anti-wrinkling anti-aging agent.
Medical:
Giving repeated and controlled injections of bee venom under the skin causes the immune system to get used to bee venom, and helps reduce the severity of an allergy to bee venom
Parkinson disease. Early research shows that dilute bee venom injections may improve symptoms in people with Parkinson disease.
Osteoarthritis. Early research on the use of bee venom for osteoarthritis is mixed. But one large study shows that injecting bee venom into the skin at certain points in the knees and back might improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Caution of Allergies
When given as a shot: Bee venom is LIKELY SAFE for most people when injected under the skin by a trained medical professional. Some people might get redness and swelling where the injection is given.
Side effects include itching, anxiety, trouble breathing, chest tightness, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sleepiness, confusion, fainting, and low blood pressure. Side effects are more common in people with the worst allergies to bee stings, in people treated with honeybee venom, and in women. Serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis can occur.
For reducing the severity of allergic reactions to bee stings: Healthcare providers give bee venom as a shot (by injection) to "desensitize" people who are allergic to bee stings. Purified bee venom for under-the-skin injection is an FDA approved product.
Bee venom value added products
●Raw Bee venom
●Bee venomLiquid extracts
●Bee venomampules (powder)/Vials (liquid)
●Bee venom cream
●Bee venomSpider vain spray
●Bee venomGynecomastiaheating oil
●Bee venom jell (relieves joint pains)
●Bee venom essence
●Bee venom serum
●Bee venommoisturizer
●Bee venom foot patches
●Bee venomcapsules and tablets
●Bee venomointments
Storage:
Dried bee venom should be stored in refrigerater or in freezer for longer shelf life. It should always be kept in the dark bottles in dark place recommended.
Can Bee Venom be consumed orally and in what quantity.
No. Bee venom is given in shots.
Can bee venom be applied on skin directly and in what quantity:
Yes be venom can be applied on skin but in diluted form. Most of the Bee venom Skin products are prepared in low concentration.
Difference between bee venom and snake venom:
Snake Venom is significantly more toxic than bee venom. Both are differ from each other in composition, toxicity and effect on the body. Bee venom works locally create pain, swelling and allergic reactions, whereas Snake venom affects multiple organ systems and potentially leading to severe consequences or even death.
Bee Venom contains peptides, enzymes, and biogenic amines like histamine and epinephrine. Key components include melittin (pain-producing), apamin (neurotoxic), and phospholipase. Snake venom contains hemotoxins (destroying red blood cells), neurotoxins (affecting nerve function), and myotoxins (damaging muscle tissue)
