Anti-fibrotic effect of natural toxin bee venom on animal model of unilateral ureteral obstruction

Molecular Mechanistic Pathways Targeted by Natural Antioxidants in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive loss of renal function and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Despite optimal therapy, many patients progress to ESRD and require dialysis or transplantation. The pathogenesis of CKD involves inflammation, kidney fibrosis, and blunted renal cellular antioxidant capacity. In this review, we have focused on in vitro and in vivo experimental and clinical studies undertaken to investigate the mechanistic pathways by which these compounds exert their effects against the progression of CKD, particularly diabetic nephropathy and kidney fibrosis. The accumulated and collected data from preclinical and clinical studies revealed that these plants/bioactive compounds could activate autophagy, increase mitochondrial bioenergetics and prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, act as modulators of signaling pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and renal fibrosis. The main pathways targeted by these compounds include the canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), canonical transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), autophagy, and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE). This review presented an updated overview of the potential benefits of these antioxidants and new strategies to treat or reduce CKD progression, although the limitations related to the traditional formulation, lack of standardization, side effects, and safety.

Protective Effects of Bee Venom against Endotoxemia-Related Acute Kidney Injury in Mice

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a leading cause of death in hospitalized patients worldwide. Despite decades of effort, there is no effective treatment for preventing the serious medical condition. Bee venom has long been used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases. However, whether bee venom has protective effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI has not been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bee venom on LPS-induced AKI. The administration of bee venom alleviated renal dysfunction and structural injury in LPS-treated mice. Increased renal levels of tubular injury markers after LPS treatment were also suppressed by bee venom. Mechanistically, bee venom significantly reduced plasma and tissue levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cell infiltration into damaged kidneys. In addition, mice treated with bee venom exhibited reduced renal expression of lipid peroxidation markers after LPS injection. Moreover, bee venom attenuated tubular cell apoptosis in the kidneys of LPS-treated mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that bee venom attenuates LPS-induced renal dysfunction and structural injury via the suppression of inflammation, oxidative stress, and tubular cell apoptosis, and might be a useful therapeutic option for preventing endotoxemia-related AKI.

Assessment of bee venom therapy in animal model of statin-induced myopathy

Background

Statin-induced myopathy is the most common adverse effect of statins. Bee venom provides a potential mean of controlling immune responses and inflammatory reactions; the proposed mechanisms for statin-induced myopathy.

Objective

The present study aimed at clarification of the role of the bee venom in prevention of statin-induced myopathy.

Materials and methods

It was carried out on 30 Sprague-Dawley female rats. Rats were randomly classified into 3 groups: control group, statin group which received statins for 2 weeks, and venom group that was exposed to alternate day actual bee sting concurrent to statins administration for 2 weeks. Quantitative electromyography (QEMG) was performed as well as serum creatine kinase (CK) and cholesterol levels, in addition to in vitro muscle contractility tests.

Results

QEMG and contractility tests showed significant changes in the statin group compared to both control and venom groups. Serum cholesterol level decreased with increase in CK levels in the statin and venom groups compared to controls; however, the CK level was significantly lower in the venom group as compared to the statin group.

Conclusion

Bee venom therapy offers a simple and available means of prophylaxis against the myopathic effects induced by statins in animal model. However, it partly restricts the therapeutic effect of statins.

Bee venom attenuates Porphyromonas gingivalis and RANKL-induced bone resorption with osteoclastogenic differentiation

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is one of the major periodontal pathogens leading to inflammation and alveolar bone resorption. Bone resorption is induced by osteoclasts, which are multinucleated giant cells. Osteoclastic bone resorption is mediated by enhanced receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) signaling. Therefore, the down-regulation of RANKL downstream signals is regarded as an effective therapeutic target in the treatment of bone loss-associated disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether purified bee venom (BV) could attenuate P. gingivalis-induced inflammatory periodontitis and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. Inflammatory periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis increased alveolar bone resorption and increased expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, while BV treatment resulted in decreased bone loss and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Similarly, RANKL-induced multinucleated osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast-specific gene expression, such as nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), cathepsin K, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and integrin αvβ3 were significantly suppressed by treatment with BV. We show that BV reduces P. gingivalis-induced inflammatory bone loss-related periodontitis in vivo and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, activation, and function in vitro. These results suggest that BV exerts positive effects on inflammatory periodontitis associated osteoclastogenesis.

Pomolic Acid Ameliorates Fibroblast Activation and Renal Interstitial Fibrosis through Inhibition of SMAD-STAT Signaling Pathways

Fibrosis is a common pathological feature in most kinds of chronic kidney disease. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling is the master pathway regulating kidney fibrosis pathogenesis, in which mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3) with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) act as the integrator of various pro-fibrosis signals. We examine the effects of pomolic acid (PA) on mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and TGF-β1 stimulated kidney fibroblast cells. UUO mice were observed severe tubular atrophy, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition at seven days postoperatively. However, PA-treated UUO mice demonstrated only moderate injury, minimal fibrosis, and larger reductions in the expression of ECM protein and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress. PA inhibited the SMAD-STAT phosphorylation in UUO mice. PA effects were also confirmed in TGF-β1 stimulated kidney fibroblast cells. In this study, we first demonstrated that PA ameliorates fibroblast activation and renal interstitial fibrosis. Our results indicate that PA may be useful as a potential candidate in the prevention of chronic kidney disease.

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

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.

The Effects of Melittin and Apamin on Airborne Fungi-Induced Chemical Mediator and Extracellular Matrix Production from Nasal Polyp Fibroblasts

Melittin and apamin are the main components of bee venom and they have been known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melittin and apamin on airborne fungi-induced chemical mediator and extracellular matrix (ECM) production in nasal fibroblasts. Primary nasal fibroblasts were isolated from nasal polyps, which were collected during endoscopic sinus surgery. Nasal fibroblasts were treated with Alternaria and Aspergillus. The effects of melittin and apamin on the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were determined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. ECM mRNA and protein expressions were determined with the use of quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Alternaria-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production was significantly inhibited by apamin. However, melittin did not influence the production of IL-6 and IL-8 from nasal fibroblasts. Melittin or apamin significantly inhibited collagen type I, TIMP-1, and MMP-9 mRNA expression and protein production from nasal fibroblasts. Melittin and apamin inhibited Alternaria-induced phosphorylation of Smad 2/3 and p38 MAPK. Melittin and apamin can inhibit the fungi-induced production of chemical mediators and ECM from nasal fibroblasts. These results suggest the possible role of melittin and apamin in the treatment of fungi induced airway inflammatory diseases.

An Introduction to the Toxins Special Issue on "Bee and Wasp Venoms: Biological Characteristics and Therapeutic Application"

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The protective effect of bee venom on fibrosis causing inflammatory diseases

Bee venom therapy is a treatment modality that may be thousands of years old and involves the application of live bee stings to the patient’s skin or, in more recent years, the injection of bee venom into the skin with a hypodermic needle. Studies have proven the effectiveness of bee venom in treating pathological conditions such as arthritis, pain and cancerous tumors. However, there has not been sufficient review to fully elucidate the cellular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom and its components. In this respect, the present study reviews current understanding of the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory properties of bee venom and its components in the treatment of liver fibrosis, atherosclerosis and skin disease.