Bee Venom—A Potential Complementary Medicine Candidate for SARS-CoV-2 Infections
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by severe cytokine storm syndrome following inflammation. SARS-CoV-2 directly interacts with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors in the human body. Complementary therapies that impact on expression of IgE...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers in Public Health
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/471 |
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| Summary: | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized
by severe cytokine storm syndrome following inflammation. SARS-CoV-2 directly
interacts with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors in the human body.
Complementary therapies that impact on expression of IgE and IgG antibodies,
including administration of bee venom (BV), have efficacy in the management of
arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease. A recent epidemiological study in China showed
that local beekeepers have a level of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 with and
without previous exposure to virus. BV anti-inflammatory properties are associated
with melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), both of which show activity against
enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, including H1N1 and HIV, with activity mediated
through antagonist activity against interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, interferon-g (IFN-g), and
tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). Melittin is associated with the underexpression of
proinflammatory cytokines, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), extracellular
signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), and protein kinase Akt. BV therapy also involves
group III secretory phospholipase A2 in the management of respiratory and neurological
diseases. BV activation of the cellular and humoral immune systems should be explored
for the application of complementary medicine for the management of SARS-CoV-2
infections. BV “vaccination” is used to immunize against cytomegalovirus and can
suppress metastases through the PLA2 and phosphatidylinositol-(3,4)-bisphosphate
pathways. That BV shows efficacy for HIV and H1NI offers opportunity as a candidate
for complementary therapy for protection against SARS-CoV-2. |
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