Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bee Venom Component Has Trypanocidal, Antibacterial Effects

The Effects of Bee (Apis Mellifera) Venom Phospholipase A2 on Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei and Enterobacteria
Experimental Parasitology, Article in Press

Abstract: The potential role of phospholipases in trypanosomiasis was investigated using bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) as a model…

Even very low concentrations of bvPLA2 (10−12 mg ml−1) had some trypanocidal activity. Bee venom PLA2 was bactericidal to 2 h bacterial cultures but bacteriostatic to 12 h ones. Minimum bactericidal concentrations were 10−5–10−6 mg ml−1.

The results showed that bvPLA2 had significant trypanocidal and antibacterial effects on Gram-negative bacteria. The relationship to events occurring during infection is discussed. Phospholipases may play a role in increased endotoxin levels in trypanosomiasis.

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