A Comprehensive Review of Honey Bee Venom with Their Therapeutic Activity

Abstract

Apitherapy, the therapeutic use of honey bee products has been practiced and is referenced in many ancient books and texts. This alternative medical approach utilizes various bee derived substances, including honey, bees wax and bee venom. Bee venom therapy, a specialized form of apitherapy, involves the application of live bee stings or injectable venom to stimulate healing in conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, other inflammatory and auto immune disorders. Bee venom contains at least 18 pharmacologically active compounds including peptides, enzymes, and amines with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, neuro protective, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties. It has shown therapeutic promise in treating central nervous system diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s as well as in pre-clinical cancer and HIV research. This review explores the biologically active compounds with their therapeutic potential, properties, stability, structural identity of chemical components of bee venom and highlighting its emerging role in modern alternative medicine