Bee Venom

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2001/loveridge/index-page8.html

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2001/loveridge/index-page5.html

Bee venom is a mixture of histamine, pheromones, enzymes, peptides, amino acids and other acids, with 63 components in total. The main enzymes present are phospholipase A, hyaluronidase, and lecithinase; while the main peptides are mellitin, apamin and peptide 401.

Both mellitin and apamin cause the body to release cortisol, a natural steroid, while peptide 401 is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. The main amino acids in bee venom are cysteine and methionine, both of which contain sulphur. Sulphur is important in inducing cortisol release from the adrenal glands.