Evaluation of Antifungal Activities of Bee Venom Components Against Malassezia Strains / 대한의진균학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND@#Several studies about bee venom components have reported anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Malassezia species are components of skin flora, and also associated with many dermatologic diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, folliculitis, and atopic dermatitis.@*OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antifungal activity of bee venom components, melittin, and apamin, against Malassezia strains.@*METHODS@#With 10 Malassezia species, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were tested with bee venom, and Zinc pyrithione as a reference antifungal agent.@*RESULTS@#Whole bee venom, melittin, and apamin did not show any antifungal activity against Malassezia species at the concentrations tested.@*CONCLUSION@#Although bee venom do not have anti-Malassezia activities, it is known to have antifungal activities against other fungal strains. Therefore, further study should consider revealing the mechanism of antifungal activity against fungus and other possible target strains of fungi.