<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Several studies have reported radioprotective, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anticancer effects of bee venom both in the cell and the whole organism. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a single high dose of 100 μg mL-1 of whole bee venom in human lymphocytes <italic>in vitro</italic> over a variety of time spans (from 10 min to 24 h). After the treatment, we used the comet assay and micronucleus test to see the effect of bee venom on the cell. The comet assay confirmed that the venom damaged the DNA molecule. Tail length, tail intensity, tail moment showed a significant increase (P&lt;0.05). The percentage of long-tailed nuclei (LTN) with the tail length exceeding the 95th percentile also increased in a time-dependent manner. The micronucleus parameters (number of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds) also showed a significant time-dependent increase (P&lt;0.05). This research indicates that high concentrations of bee venom can lead to cellular instability. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of action of bee venom and its components in human cells and to see if this natural product may find application in medicine.</abstract>

Several studies have reported radioprotective, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anticancer effects of bee venom both in the cell and the whole organism. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a single high dose of 100 μg mL-1 of whole bee venom in human lymphocytes in vitro over a variety of time spans (from 10 min to 24 h). After the treatment, we used the comet assay and micronucleus test to see the effect of bee venom on the cell. The comet assay confirmed that the venom damaged the DNA molecule. Tail length, tail intensity, tail moment showed a significant increase (P<0.05). The percentage of long-tailed nuclei (LTN) with the tail length exceeding the 95th percentile also increased in a time-dependent manner. The micronucleus parameters (number of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds) also showed a significant time-dependent increase (P<0.05). This research indicates that high concentrations of bee venom can lead to cellular instability. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of action of bee venom and its components in human cells and to see if this natural product may find application in medicine.

Evaluation of the Cytogenetic Status of Human Lymphocytes After Exposure to a High Concentration of Bee Venom In Vitro

Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Mutagenesis Unit, Zagreb, Croatia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

Several studies have reported radioprotective, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anticancer effects of bee venom both in the cell and the...

Evaluation of the Cytogenetic Status of Human Lymphocytes After Exposure to a High Concentration of Bee Venom In Vitro

Published Online: Mar 27, 2009

Page range: 27 - 34

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1896

Keywords
in vitro,

This content is open access.

Evaluation of the Cytogenetic Status of Human Lymphocytes After Exposure to a High Concentration of Bee Venom In Vitro

Published Online: Mar 27, 2009

Page range: 27 - 34

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1896

Keywordsin vitro,

This content is open access.

Keywords
in vitro,