Melittin: A Natural Peptide with Expanded Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Background: Apis mellifera, European honey bee venom (BV) is a complex combination of chemical compounds comprising proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other small molecules. Melittin (MEL), which is the key component of BV is considered as an alternative for treatment of various infections. MEL is an amphipathic, cell-penetrating, 26-residue, ahelical anti-hepatoma peptide derived from BV. However, owing to its initial conformational strength and poor stability, melittin is constrained in use as a medication. Objective: The study focused on collective data of therapeutic activities of Bee venom component, MEL. Method: Regardless of its broad variety of biological and possible therapeutic uses, there has been increasing concern in the use of MEL. According to literature, MEL revealed range of activities started from Anti- cancer activity, Anti- microbial activity, Anti- viral activity, Anti-inflammatory activity to Anti- diabetic activity. Present review article summarized therapeutic applications of MEL, their mechanism of action along with recent research progress in field of its delivery. Conclusion: It could be concluded that MEL exerts multiple effects on cellular functions of infected cells.