Effects of honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom on keratinocyte migration in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Since the ancient times the skin aging application of honeybee venom (BV) is practiced and persisted until nowadays. The present study evaluated the effect of the honeybee venom (BV) on keratinocyte migration in wound healing model in vitro.


OBJECTIVE
To access BV further as a cosmetic ingredient and a potential external application for topical uses, we performed studies to investigate the biologic effect of BV treatment on keratinocyte proliferation and migration in vitro.


METHODS
BV cytotoxicity was assessed by using a 3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay over 24 h. To assess BV genotoxicity, damage to human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) was evaluated using the Comet assay. HEK migration was evaluated using a commercial wound healing kit. The skin pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were examined to evaluate the pro-inflammatory response to BV.


RESULTS
It was found that BV (<100 μg/ml) was not cytotoxic and stimulated more HEK proliferation and migration compared to negative control, and did not induce DNA damage. There were also decreases in IL-8 and TNF-α expression levels in HEK at all time points.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the potential of topical application of BV for promoting cell regeneration and wound treatment.
Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, South Korea.
Sang Mi
SM
Han
Kwan Kyu
KK
Park
Young Mee
YM
Nicholls
Nicola
N
Macfarlane
Greig
G
Duncan
Bee venom; Keratinocyte; migration; regeneration; skin