Bee Venom and Its Therapeutic Potential

The aim of this review is to evaluate the biological effects of the major components of bee venom (apitoxin) and the implications of these effects in experimental disease models. Bee venom has become an important natural agent in modern pharmacology and medicine due to its diverse bioactive constituents, including melittin, apamin, adolapin, phospholipase A₂, and hyaluronidase. In neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease models such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, bee venom has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, its toxic effects must be assessed as carefully as its therapeutic properties. Immune reactions triggered by bee venom may lead to severe clinical manifestations, particularly in allergic individuals. In conclusion, although bee venom possesses a broad therapeutic potential, its clinical application is not considered appropriate without establishing optimal treatment duration, dosing regimens, and targeted delivery strategies. Therefore, further data are needed to support the development of biotherapeutic approaches aimed at enabling the safe and effective use of bee venom.