Anticancer Properties of Bee Venom: A Review

Abstract

Background: Apis meliferra (bee venom) has long been used in alternative medicine for its therapeutic effects and recently research highlights its anticancer potential. This scoping review aims to systematically gather and evaluate evidence on the anticancer properties of bee venom and its bioactive compounds.  Methods: This review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines using articles retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus from 2010 to 2024. Studies were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on the anticancer effects of bee venom components. A total of 240 articles were retrieved, with 35 meeting the eligibity criteria. Data on cancer type, model, compound, and mechanism were extracted and analyzed. Results: It was found that melittin was the most frequently investigated compound, showing anticancer activity in breast, lung, glioblastoma, and ovarian cancer models. Mechanisms include induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of NF?B and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, and modulation of immune responses. Additionally, a number of studies documented synergistic effects when melittin was mixed with apamin and PLA2, two additional comoponents of bee venom. Conclusion: Bee venom, particularly melittin, demonstrated strong anticancer potential by targeting multiple molecular pathways. However, further in vivo and clinical studies are required to validate its efficacy and safety as a therapeutic agent in addition to thorough examination of less well-known substances such as adolapin and MCD peptide.