Honeybee venom is a well-known pharmacologically active product of the hive. It is a product of the secretion activity of a special gland in the body of working honeybees. Freshly collected bee venom is a transparent, light-yellow liquid with a bitter, burning taste and a strong smell.

 

Bee venom is a unique multi-component complex that contains about 18 biologically active compounds, some of which are practically impossible to get synthesized by chemical methods (Fig.1). Nowadays, the majority of biologically active compounds are well studied, and their valuable properties are discovered (Krilov, 1995; Schmidt, 1996)

 

 The most powerful bee venom unique peptides are:

 

1. Melittin - ( 40-50 % ) – the most potent anti-inflammatory peptide

• Bee venom VENZ contains 55-60 % compared to other overseas bee venoms.

• Melittin stimulates the hypophyseal-adrenal system and produces cortisone.

•  It is 100 times more potent than hydrocortisone (Couch, 1972; Knepel et al., 1987; Vick et al., 1972, 1975).

• Melittin stabilizes the lysosome cell membrane to protect against inflammation (Shkenderov et al., 1986).

​

1. Peptide 401 – 2 % - strong anti-inflammatory peptide.

• Peptide 401, or MDC peptide, blocks the arachidonic acid and inhibits prostaglandin synthesis (Hanson et al., 1974; Neubould, 1963; Surfer et al., 1973)

​

1. Apamin - Apamin works like melittin to produce cortisone (Vick and Shipman, 1972),

                      and inhibits the complement system, C3, which is involved in inflammation

                     (Gencheva et al., 1986).

 

 5. Cardio peptides – anti-arrhythmic agent.

​

 6. Dopamine – a neurotransmitter that increases motor activity.

​

 8. Adolapin - Has a potent analgesic effect

​

 

How does bee venom work?

 

Bee venom peptides have systemic action: anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic, and stimulating vascular permeability.

 

The healing effect of bee venom is caused by indirectly stimulating the adrenal gland's function through hypophysis. This stimulation process generates more adrenal hormones such as cortisone and hydrocortisone in the blood. These hormones heal, increasing the body's resistance to various unfavorable factors. But, bee venom healing action is not only connected with stimulation of the adrenal gland but also with direct action on the cardiovascular system.

    

                               

Bee venom honey is a food supplement for pets.

 

For the first time in New Zealand, a new health product for pets with bee venom for internal use has been developed and produced. This is honey with bee venom and fish oil. Taking this product provides an alternative method of achieving the same health benefit of bee sting therapy but without the pain.

 

Dr. Nikolai Nikolaev has developed production technology. He was the first in New Zealand to suggest using dry bee venom powder to make honey-based products. He later developed the technology of mixing liquid and dry honey with dry bee venom. The safe and beneficial health dosage of bee venom in the products was scientifically substantiated.

 

This technology was recognized as innovative (NZ patent #333790). The main advantage of this technology is the possibility of standardization of bee venom dosage in a final product. Another advantage is the preservation of biologically active components of honey and bee venom and their healing properties during a long period