Revisão sistemática bibliográfica dos efeitos biológicos e aplicações farmacocinéticas da apitoxina de abelhas Apis mellifera

Abstract

The Apis mellifera bee venom (apitoxin) presents a vast and complex pharmacological potential, arousing growing scientific interest in the search for new medical treatments. This work aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the biological effects and pharmacokinetic applications of apitoxin and its main bioactive components, such as melittin, phospholipase A2, and apamin. For the structuring and rigor of the research, the Methodi Ordinatio 2.0 framework was applied, conducting searches in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The procedure resulted in the screening of 232 documents and the final selection of a portfolio comprising the 13 articles of highest scientific relevance, systematically ranked by the InOrdinatio equation. The systematic analysis of the consolidated literature reveals that apitoxin possesses potent cytotoxic activities against oncological cells, promoting membrane lysis and apoptosis, in addition to acting in strong synergy with traditional chemotherapeutics. The study also evidences significant anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to accelerate tissue repair in wounds, and a notable neuroprotective action against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The bioactive efficacy also extends to important antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic activities. However, the systemic clinical use of the venom faces severe toxicological limitations, such as non-specific cytotoxicity and the high risk of anaphylaxis caused by its allergens. It is concluded that overcoming these obstacles relies directly on the application of biotechnological innovations, notably nanomedicine, active drug vectorization, and smart release systems, which prove to be indispensable for encapsulating the compounds and ensuring the safety and efficacy of future clinical therapies.