Bee venom is a combination of many useful components.

Modern biochemical analytical procedures have been used to identify 18 different components. The major components of bee venom include the following:

Dr. Kim M-H. Christopher, one of the world's best expert in bee venom therapy, has published in Bee Informed, Journal of the American Apitherapy Society (autumn issue, 1997), the following table related to the dried bee venom composition:

COMPONENT	MOL. Wt.	% (Dry Venom)	Reference
PEPTIDES
Melittin	2,840	40-50	Neumann et al., 1952
Apamin	2,036	2-3	Habermann et al., 1965
MCD-Peptide 401	2,588	2-3	Fredholm, 1966
Adolapin	11,500	1.0	Shkenderov, 1982
Protease inhibitor	9,000	< 0.8	Shkenderov, 1973
Secarpin		0.5	Gauldie et al, 1976
Tertiapin		0.1	Gauldie et al, 1976
Melittin F		0.01	Gauldie et al, 1976
Procamine A, B		1.4	Nelson and O’Connor, 1968
Minimine	6,000	2-3	Lowy et al, 1971
Cardiopep		< 0.7	Vick et al, 1974
ENZYMES
Hyaluronidase	38,000	1.5-2.0	Neumann & Habermann
Phospholipase A2	19,000	10-12	Habermann & Neumann, 1957
Glucosidase	170,000	0.6	Shkenderov et al, 1979
Acid Phosphomono-esterase	55,000	1.0	Shkenderov et al, 1979
Lysophospholipase	22,000	1.0	Ivanova et al, 1982
ACTIVE AMINES
Histamine
Dopamine		0.13-1.0	Owen, 171
Norepinephrine		0.1-0.7	Owen, 1982
NON-PEPTIDE COMPONENTS
Carbohydrates: Glucose & Fructose		< 2.0	O’Connor et al, 1967
LIPIDS
6 Phospholipids		4.5	O’Connor et al, 1967
AMINO-ACIDS
r-Aminobutyric acid		< 0.5	Nelson & O’Connor, 1968
B-Aminoisobutyric acid		< 0.01	Nelson & O’Connor, 1968

B.V. SUBSTANCES AND THEIR EFFECTS:

Phospholipase A (enzyme)	radioprotective activity; mastocytolitic; histamine release; blood pressure depressants antigenic properties; it is the major BV allergen ; antagonistic effect on staphylococic alfa-toxin and tetanus toxin; antitumoural effect acts on biological membranes
Hyaluronidase	selectively attacks tissue hyaluronic acid polymers; increase the capillary permeability (Neumann and Habermann); immune response and tissue-spread properties; antigenic; anaphylactogene
Apamin (a polypeptide with 18 amino acids)	antigenic and; anti-inflammatory properties
Melittin (a polypeptide also consisting of 26 amino acids which represents 40-60% of the bee venom)	antibacterial; antifungal; anti-lyme disease (in vitro experiment) antitumoural; central nervous system inhibitory; block nerve muscle and ganglial synapses; contraction of the striated and smooth muscles; histamine releasing; mastocytololysic; radio protecting (against X-irradiation; study on mice, Shipman and Cole, 1967); vascular permeability increasing; haemolysis; lowers blood pressure; anti-inflammatory; mellitin (which represents 40-60 % from the B.V. substances) has no antigenic properties (Orlov); otherwise, according to Artemov, the bee enemies would have gotten a specific immunity; stimulate the pituitary - adrenal axis to release both cathecolamines and cortisol (Brooks et al.); increase plasma cortisol levels acts on biological membranes Presently, it is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory agents known, and it can be useful in treating arthritis and rheumatism.
Mast Cell Degranulating peptide	In many animal studies, in comparison studies with hydrocortisone, this peptide was 100 times more potent as an anti-inflammatory agent in suppressing the development of adjuvant-induced arthritis. (Simics p 13) & quot.
Cardiopep	increase both the force of contraction (beta-adrenergic) and the heart rate with little or no effect on coronary circulation (Brooks et al.); anti-arrhythmic properties (Brooks et al.); stimulate the pituitary - adrenal axis to release both cathecolamines and cortisol (Brooks et al.)
Adolapin	analgesic (Shkenderov, 1982); anti-inflammatory (Shkenderov, 1982)