Korean J Med Mycol.  2019 Dec;24(4):91-95. 10.17966/JMI.2019.24.4.91.

Evaluation of Antifungal Activities of Bee Venom Components Against Malassezia Strains

• Kim JH
• Park J
• Park KK
• An HJ
• Lee YW

• KMID: 2470573
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17966/JMI.2019.24.4.91

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Several studies about bee venom components have reported anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Malassezia species are components of skin flora, and also associated with many dermatologic diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, folliculitis, and atopic dermatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antifungal activity of bee venom components, melittin, and apamin, against Malassezia strains.
METHODS
With 10 Malassezia species, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were tested with bee venom, and Zinc pyrithione as a reference antifungal agent.
RESULTS
Whole bee venom, melittin, and apamin did not show any antifungal activity against Malassezia species at the concentrations tested.
CONCLUSION
Although bee venom do not have anti-Malassezia activities, it is known to have antifungal activities against other fungal strains. Therefore, further study should consider revealing the mechanism of antifungal activity against fungus and other possible target strains of fungi.

Keyword

Antifungal activity; Bee venom; Malassezia; Scalp; Seborrheic dermatitis

MeSH Terms

Apamin
Bee Venoms*
Bees*
Dermatitis, Atopic
Dermatitis, Seborrheic
Folliculitis
Fungi
Malassezia*
Melitten
Scalp
Skin
Tinea Versicolor
Zinc
Apamin
Bee Venoms
Melitten
Zinc