Bee Venom: From Venom to Drug

Insects of the order Hymenoptera have a defensive substance that contains many biologically active compounds. Specifically, venom from honeybees (Apis mellifera) contains many enzymes and peptides that are effective against various diseases. Different research papers stated the possibility of using bee venom (a direct bee sting or in an injectable form) in treating several complications; either in vivo or in vitro. Other reports used the active fractions of bee venom clinically or at labratory scale. Many reports and publications have stated that bee venom and its constituents have multiple biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-protozoan, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic properties. The present review aims to refer to the use of bee venom itself or its fractions in treating several diseases and counteracting drug toxicities as an alternative protocol of therapy. The updated molecular mechanisms of actions of bee venom and its components are discussed in light of the previous updated publications. The review also summarizes the potential of venom loaded on nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle and its molecular mechanisms. Finally, the products of bee venom available in markets are also demonstrated.

The Roles of Cruciferae Glucosinolates in Disease and Pest Resistance

With the expansion of the area under Cruciferae vegetable cultivation, and an increase in the incidence of natural threats such as pests and diseases globally, Cruciferae vegetable losses caused by pathogens, insects, and pests are on the rise. As one of the key metabolites produced by Cruciferae vegetables, glucosinolate (GLS) is not only an indicator of their quality but also controls infestation by numerous fungi, bacteria, aphids, and worms. Today, the safe and pollution-free production of vegetables is advocated globally, and environmentally friendly pest and disease control strategies, such as biological control, to minimize the adverse impacts of pathogen and insect pest stress on Cruciferae vegetables, have attracted the attention of researchers. This review explores the mechanisms via which GLS acts as a defensive substance, participates in responses to biotic stress, and enhances plant tolerance to the various stress factors. According to the current research status, future research directions are also proposed.

New emerging fields of application of propolis

Propolis (bee glue) is a sticky resinous material applied by honey bees Apis mellifera L. as a building material in their hives and as a defensive substance against infections. Propolis has been used as a remedy in traditional medicine systems all over the world, mainly to treat wounds and burns, sore throat, stomach ulcer, etc. Modern science has confirmed the antimicrobial and antiviral action of propolis, and has discovered numerous other beneficial pharmacological properties of bee glue: immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antitumor, and many others. For this reason, significant number of products containing propolis have been developed and commercialised: medical devices, over-the-counter preparations, health foods and beverages, cosmetics. This review is not dealing with propolis applications in improvement and protection of human health. Instead, it is focused on some new and promising areas of propolis use and innovative propolis containing products, emerging in the last few years: improving growth performance of livestock, food preservation, food packaging, textile materials for biomedical application, etc.

Biosynthesis and potential functions of the ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone — a review

The ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is a steroid hormone found in arthropods and plants. It is suspected to have agrochemical, biotechnological, medicinal, and pharmaceutical applicability. In insects, 20E controls or elicits molting and other developmental processes, and several characterized P450 enzymes are involved in its biosynthesis. In plants, it may act as a defensive substance against insects and nematodes. It is suspected that 20E, being a physiologically active compound, may affect morphological and physiological processes in plants and that C27phytosterols may be its precursors. However, neither its precise function nor its mechanism of biosynthesis in plants is fully understood. Here, the importance of 20E and current understanding of its structure, potential functions, and biosynthesis in both plants and insects are reviewed.