Evaluation of Phototoxic and Skin Sensitization Potentials of PLA 2 -Free Bee Venom.
Bee venom (BV) from honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has been used in oriental medicine and cosmetic ingredients because of its diverse pharmacological activities. In many studies, among BV components, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is known as a major player in BV-induced allergic reaction. Therefore, we removed PLA2 from BV using ultrafiltration and then investigated in vitro phototoxicity and in vivo skin sensitization of PLA2-free BV (PBV) in comparison with regular BV. The 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity assay can be appropriated to identify the phototoxic effect of a test substance upon the exposure of ultraviolet A. Chlorpromazine, a positive control, showed high levels of photoirritation factor and mean photo effect values, while BV and PBV had less of these values. Local lymph node assay is an alternative method to evaluate skin sensitization potential of chemicals. BALB/c mice were treated with p-phenylenediamine (PPD, positive control), BV, or PBV. In all of PPD concentrations, stimulation indexes (SI) as sensitizing potential of chemicals were ≥1.6, determined to be sensitizer, while SI levels of BV and PBV were below 1.6. Thus, based on these findings, we propose that both BV and PBV are nonphototoxic compounds and nonsensitizers.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Yunwi
Y
Heo
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea ; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Min-Jung
MJ
Pyo
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Seong Kyeong
SK
Bae
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea ; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Hyunkyoung
H
Lee
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Young Chul
YC
Kwon
Toxicity Screening Research Center, Gyeongnam Department of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 660-844, Republic of Korea.
Je Hein
JH
Kim
Toxicity Screening Research Center, Gyeongnam Department of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 660-844, Republic of Korea.
Bokyung
B
Kim
Chung Jin Biotech Co., Ltd., Hanyang University Business Center, Anshan-si 426-791, Republic of Korea.
Choul Goo
CG
Kim
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea ; Institutes of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Changkeun
C
Kang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea ; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Euikyung
E
Kim