Ann Dermatol.  2018 Apr;30(2):202-210. 10.5021/ad.2018.30.2.202.

Antifungal Effects of Bee Venom Components on Trichophyton rubrum: A Novel Approach of Bee Venom Study for Possible Emerging Antifungal Agent

• Park J
• Kwon O
• An HJ
• Park KK

• KMID: 2414682
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2018.30.2.202

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Bee venom (BV) has been widely investigated for potential medical uses. Recent inadvertent uses of BV based products have shown to mitigate signs of fungal infections. However, the component mediating the antifungal effect has not been identified.
OBJECTIVE
This investigation compares bee venom in its whole and partial forms to evaluate the possible component responsible for the antifungal effect.
METHODS
Forty-eight plates inoculated with Trichophyton rubrum were allocated into four groups. The groups were treated with raw BV (RBV), melittin, apamin and BV based mist (BBM) respectively and each group was further allocated accordingly to three different concentrations. The areas were measured every other day for 14 days to evaluate the kinetic changes of the colonies.
RESULTS
The interactions of ratio differences over interval were confirmed in groups treated with RBV and BBM. In RBV, the level of differences were achieved in groups treated with 10 mg/100 µl (p=0.026) and 40 mg/100 µl (p=0.000). The mean difference of ratio in groups treated with RBV was evident in day 3 and day 5. The groups that were treated with melittin or apamin did not show any significant interaction. In BBM groups, the significant levels of ratio differences over time intervals were achieved in groups treated with 200 µl/100 µl (p=0.000) and 300 µl/100 µl (p=0.030).
CONCLUSION
The the bee venom in its whole form delivered a significant level of inhibition and we concluded that the venom in separated forms are not effective. Moreover, BV based products may exert as potential antifungal therapeutics.

Keyword

Antifungal agents; Apamin; Bee venoms; Melitten; Trichophyton

MeSH Terms

Antifungal Agents
Apamin
Bee Venoms*
Bees*
Melitten
Negotiating
Trichophyton*
Venoms
Antifungal Agents
Apamin
Bee Venoms
Melitten
Venoms

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serial photographs of Trichophyton rubrum colony plates from day 1 to day 13. The colony plates varying each component group. Each plate field is divided in half to inoculate the colonies of experimental (right side of field) and control (left side of field) groups. (A) 0.1 mg/100 µl of raw bee venom (RBV) treated group, (B) 10 mg/100 µl of RBV treated group, (C) 40 mg/100 µl of RBV treated group, (D) 0.5 mg/100 µl of melittin treated group, (E) 1.0 mg/100 µl of melittin treated group, (F) 1.5 mg/100 µl of melittin treated group, (G) 0.5 mg/100 µl of apamin treated group, (H) 1.0 mg/100 µl of apamin treated group, (I) 1.5 mg/100 µl of apamin treated group, (J) 100 µl/100 µl of bee venom based mist (BBM) treated group, (K) 200 µl/100 µl of BBM treated group, (L) 300 µl/100 µl of BBM treated group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Graphical interpretation of ratio interaction over time in experimental and control groups. Graphical interpretation of ratio difference interaction over time (interval). (A) 0.1 mg/100 µl of raw bee venom (RBV) treated group, (B) 10 mg/100 µl of RBV treated group, (C) 40 mg/100 µl of RBV treated group, (D) 0.5 mg/100 µl of melittin treated group, (E) 1.0 mg/100 µl of melittin treated group, (F) 1.5 mg/100 µl of melittin treated group, (G) 0.5 mg/100 µl of apamin treated group, (H) 1.0 mg/100 µl of apamin treated group, (I) 1.5 mg/100 µl of apamin treated group, (J) 100 µl/100 µl of bee venom based mist (BBM) treated group, (K) 200 µl/100 µl of BBM treated group, (L) 300 µl/100 µl of BBM treated group.

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