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bee venom
Bee venom contains multiple bioactive peptides and enzymes that modulate immune function and reduce inflammation through activation of anti-inflammatory pathways and immune cell regulation.
Bee venom contains multiple bioactive peptides and enzymes that modulate immune function and reduce inflammation through activation of anti-inflammatory pathways and immune cell regulation. Used for Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic pain conditions, Inflammatory disorders.
At a glance
| Generic name | bee venom |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 1: Experimental : Bee venom, 2: Placebo Comparator : NaCl 0.9%, 1 milliliter s.c. |
| Sponsor | Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris |
| Drug class | Natural product immunomodulator |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology, Rheumatology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Bee venom's primary active component, apitoxin, contains peptides such as melittin and adolapin that inhibit phospholipase A2, reduce prostaglandin and leukotriene production, and modulate cytokine release. These actions suppress inflammatory responses and may enhance regulatory T cell function, making it potentially useful in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. The venom also has analgesic properties through direct nociceptor modulation.
Approved indications
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic pain conditions
- Inflammatory disorders
Common side effects
- Local injection site reactions (pain, swelling, erythema)
- Allergic reactions
- Anaphylaxis (in sensitized individuals)
Key clinical trials
- Effectiveness and Safety of Korean Medicine for Low Back Pain or Sciatica Due to Lumbar Stenosis/Spondylolisthesis
- Effectiveness and Safety of Korean Medicine Treatment for Cervical Disc Herniation
- Predominant Sensitizations to Single Bee Venom Allergens as a Risk Factor for Therapy Failure
- Identification of B Regulatory Cells by Flow Cytometry
- Efficacy of Bee Venom Phonophoresis in Treating Chronic Sinusitis: (NA)
- Phonophoresis With Bee Venom: Evaluating Its Efficacy in Managing Pain and Enhancing Mobility in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients (NA)
- Apitoxin Versus Soft Laser for Management of Aphthous Ulceration. (NA)
- Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Safety of Immunotherapy as a Treatment for Hymenoptera Venom Allergy
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- bee venom CI brief — competitive landscape report
- bee venom updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris portfolio CI