Venom of Apis mellifera

Description & Applications

Product Description

This premium grade venom is collected from Apis mellifera populations native to the Baltic region. Honey bee venom (Apitoxin) is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, and enzymes with diverse biological activities. Our Baltic strain is noted for its high purity and consistent peptide profile.

Major Components:

• Melittin (approx. 50% of dry weight): A potent cytolytic peptide that inserts itself into cell membranes, forming pores and causing lysis. It has strong anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties but is also the main cause of pain in bee stings.
• Phospholipase A2 (PLA2): An enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids in cell membranes and is the major allergen responsible for hypersensitivity reactions in humans.
• Apamin: A neurotoxin that specifically blocks small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels.
• MCD Peptide (Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide): Triggers the release of histamine from mast cells.

Research Applications

• Allergy & Immunology:

  • Diagnostic Standards: Used as a reference standard for IgE testing and skin prick tests for Hymenoptera venom allergy.
  • Immunotherapy: Development of Venom Immunotherapy (VIT) protocols for desensitizing allergic patients.
  • Component-Resolved Diagnosis (CRD): Isolation of PLA2 and Melittin to identify specific sensitization patterns.

• Therapeutic Development (Apitherapy):

  • Arthritis & Inflammation: Investigation of Melittin’s ability to inhibit inflammatory pathways (e.g., NF-kB) in rheumatoid arthritis models.
  • Cancer Research: Study of Melittin-conjugated nanoparticles for targeted destruction of tumor cells.
  • Pain Management: Research into the analgesic effects of whole bee venom in chronic pain conditions.

• Neuroscience:

  • Use of Apamin as a selective tool to block SK channels and study their role in synaptic plasticity and memory.