1. Study on the Effect of Bee Venom and Its Main Component Melittin in Delaying Skin Aging in Mice.
- Author
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Zhao H, Liu M, Chen L, Gong Y, Ma W, and Jiang Y
- Subjects
- Animals, Mice, Hydroxyproline metabolism, Skin metabolism, Skin drug effects, Male, Interleukin-10 metabolism, Interleukin-10 genetics, Collagen Type I metabolism, Collagen Type I genetics, Galactose pharmacology, Interleukin-1beta metabolism, Interleukin-1beta genetics, Hyaluronic Acid metabolism, Hyaluronic Acid pharmacology, Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain metabolism, Collagen Type III metabolism, Collagen Type III genetics, Metabolomics methods, Skin Aging drug effects, Bee Venoms pharmacology, Melitten pharmacology
- Abstract
Bee venom (BV) and its main compound melittin (MLT) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities; however, very little research has been conducted on their effects on skin aging. In this study, a mouse skin aging model induced by D-galactose was constructed via subcutaneous injection into the scruff of the neck, and different doses of BV and MLT were used as interventions. The anti-aging effects and mechanisms of BV and MLT were explored by detecting the skin morphology and structure, and anti-aging-related factors and performing non-targeted metabolomics of mice. BV and MLT improved dermal and epidermal thickness, boosted the collagen fiber content, increased hydroxyproline and hyaluronic acid levels, and enhanced transcript-level expression of IL-10 , Col1a1 , and Col3a1 , while decreasing that of IL-1β . Metabolomic analysis showed that BV and MLT regulated the levels of some metabolites (compared to those in the skin aging control). BV effectively alleviated skin aging by regulating the pentose phosphate pathway, and pathways associated with carbon, galactose, and β-alanine metabolism, whereas MLT regulated pathways related to lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and atherosclerosis. This study highlights the potential applicability of BV and MLT in skin aging treatments and cosmetic products.
- Published
- 2025
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