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antimicrobial/cytolytic peptide

Melittin

Published evidence · coverage incomplete

Anatomy in the research

Anatomy evidence is still being assembled.

These are anatomical mentions in cited research—not established treatment targets or proof of benefit in people.

This publication has no anatomy passages that meet our source-linking checks yet. Read the available findings ↓

General anatomy view only. No peptide-specific structures are highlighted.

At a glance

What is it—and why does it matter?

Melittin is a naturally occurring bioactive peptide sourced from bee venom. In an organism-based MIC assay, CHEMBL412927 inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 with MIC 1.56 ug.mL-1. The elemental composition reported for melittin is C131H229N39O31.

Sources for this introduction: [1] [2] [3]

This published profile is a reference in progress. Findings retain their source context; missing topics are marked below.

What is it?

A molecule, not a product name.

Identity

Melittin is a naturally occurring bioactive peptide sourced from bee venom.

Sources[2]chembl-moleculeMELITTINMolecule type: Protein[2]chembl-moleculeMELITTINChEMBL ID: CHEMBL412927[2]chembl-moleculeMELITTINPreferred name: MELITTIN[3]iuphar-commentsIUPHAR ligand commentaryMelittin is the principal toxin and main pain-producing substance of honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) venom [Reference 49800] [Reference 50413].[4]iuphar-ligandmelittinName: melittin Ligand ID: 14002 Type: Peptide[9]pubmedMelittin Reprograms Tumor-Associated Macrophages Through CD18-Mediated Immunomodulation.Melittin, a natural bioactive peptide derived from bee venom[7]pubmedMelittin attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriatic dermatitis in mice: a role for autophagy activation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway suppression.Melittin, the main component in bee venom[5]pubmedBiodegradable peptide-based nanoparticles for the in vivo sequestration and neutralization of toxic peptides.As a proof-of-concept, melittin, a representative toxic peptide derived from bee venom, is selected as the model target.[6]pubmedIn vivo evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of melittin on doxorubicin-induced acute and chronic neurotoxicity in mice.Melittin, a bioactive neuropeptide derived from bee venom[10]pubmedMechanistic anticancer effects of melittin across cancer hallmarks: A narrative evidence synthesis.Melittin, a 26-amino-acid amphipathic peptide derived from the venom of the honeybee Apis mellifera,[8]pubmedMechanisms of In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Honeybee Venom Components and Melittin-Functionalized Fe3O4Nanoparticles on HaCaT Keratinocytes and A375 Melanoma Cells.Melittin (Mel), the principal cytolytic peptide in honeybee venom (BV)
Source records
11
Independent studies
9

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Molecule type: Protein”

    MELITTIN · Molecule identity

    chembl-molecule:chembl412927:78638b5a7b35:78638b5a7b35
  2. supports · Source-backed record
    “ChEMBL ID: CHEMBL412927”

    MELITTIN · Molecule identity

    chembl-molecule:chembl412927:78638b5a7b35:78638b5a7b35
  3. supports · Source-backed record
    “Preferred name: MELITTIN”

    MELITTIN · Molecule identity

    chembl-molecule:chembl412927:78638b5a7b35:78638b5a7b35
  4. supports · Source-backed record
    “Melittin is the principal toxin and main pain-producing substance of honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) venom [Reference 49800] [Reference 50413].”

    IUPHAR ligand commentary · General comments

    iuphar-comments:14002:e8e8701d9dae:e8e8701d9dae
  5. supports · Source-backed record
    “Name: melittin Ligand ID: 14002 Type: Peptide”

    melittin · Identity and approval

    iuphar-ligand:14002:2c7138cb5793:2c7138cb5793
  6. supports · Source-backed record
    “Melittin, a natural bioactive peptide derived from bee venom”

    Melittin Reprograms Tumor-Associated Macrophages Through CD18-Mediated Immunomodulation. · Abstract

    pubmed:42625356:3a493db179ca:3a493db179ca
  7. supports · Source-backed record
    “Melittin, the main component in bee venom”

    Melittin attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriatic dermatitis in mice: a role for autophagy activation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway suppression. · Abstract

    pubmed:42560464:5a8a4e3375f8:5a8a4e3375f8
  8. supports · Source-backed record
    “As a proof-of-concept, melittin, a representative toxic peptide derived from bee venom, is selected as the model target.”

    Biodegradable peptide-based nanoparticles for the in vivo sequestration and neutralization of toxic peptides. · Abstract

    pubmed:41946316:6c517d149bb4:6c517d149bb4
  9. supports · Source-backed record
    “Melittin, a bioactive neuropeptide derived from bee venom”

    In vivo evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of melittin on doxorubicin-induced acute and chronic neurotoxicity in mice. · Abstract

    pubmed:42142863:d78956c05463:d78956c05463
  10. supports · Source-backed record
    “Melittin, a 26-amino-acid amphipathic peptide derived from the venom of the honeybee Apis mellifera,”

    Mechanistic anticancer effects of melittin across cancer hallmarks: A narrative evidence synthesis. · Abstract

    pubmed:42647985:774780367ab0:774780367ab0
  11. supports · Source-backed record
    “Melittin (Mel), the principal cytolytic peptide in honeybee venom (BV)”

    Mechanisms of In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Honeybee Venom Components and Melittin-Functionalized Fe3O4Nanoparticles on HaCaT Keratinocytes and A375 Melanoma Cells. · Abstract

    pubmed:42590337:c629171eadc2:c629171eadc2

How does it work?

Target, response, and disposition.

Pharmacokinetics

A serum stability/half-life measurement in bovine serum reported T1/2 = 0.06 hr for CHEMBL412927.

Sources[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Standard result: T1/2 = 0.06 hr
Reported result
T1/2 = 0.06 hr
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Standard result: T1/2 = 0.06 hr”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 12136640

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1

Pharmacokinetics

The elemental composition reported for melittin is C131H229N39O31.

Sources[2]chembl-moleculeMELITTINMolecular weight: 2846.51[2]chembl-moleculeMELITTINMolecular formula: C131H229N39O31
Source records
2
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Molecular weight: 2846.51”

    MELITTIN · Molecular properties

    chembl-molecule:chembl412927:78638b5a7b35:78638b5a7b35
  2. supports · Source-backed record
    “Molecular formula: C131H229N39O31”

    MELITTIN · Molecular properties

    chembl-molecule:chembl412927:78638b5a7b35:78638b5a7b35

What has been studied?

What the evidence says.

Study findings

In Mueller-Hinton broth after 24 hrs, CHEMBL412927 had a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 2.0 ug ml-1 against MRSA ATCC 43300.

Sources[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Standard result: MBC = 2.0 ug ml-1
Reported result
MBC = 2.0 ug ml-1
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Standard result: MBC = 2.0 ug ml-1”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 2202017

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1

Study findings

MIC testing reported CHEMBL412927 inhibited Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 at 3.12 ug.mL-1.

Sources[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Standard result: MIC = 3.12 ug.mL-1[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Standard result: MIC = 3.12 ug.mL-1
Reported result
MIC = 3.12 ug.mL-1
Source records
2
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Standard result: MIC = 3.12 ug.mL-1”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 810722

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1
  2. supports · Source-backed record
    “Standard result: MIC = 3.12 ug.mL-1”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 810719

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1

Study findings

Using a matrigel assay in HUVEC with VEGFA stimulation, CHEMBL412927 inhibited capillary differentiation with IC50 13000.0 nM after 18 hrs.

Sources[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Assay: Antiangiogenic activity against VEGFA-stimulated capillary differentiation in HUVEC after 18 hrs by matrigel assay Assay format: cell-based format Standard result: IC50 = 13000.0 nM
Reported result
IC50 = 13000.0 nM
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Assay: Antiangiogenic activity against VEGFA-stimulated capillary differentiation in HUVEC after 18 hrs by matrigel assay Assay format: cell-based format Standard result: IC50 = 13000.0 nM”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 12149058

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1

Study findings

In an organism-based MIC assay, CHEMBL412927 inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 with MIC 1.56 ug.mL-1.

Sources[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Standard result: MIC = 1.56 ug.mL-1[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Standard result: MIC = 1.56 ug.mL-1
Reported result
MIC = 1.56 ug.mL-1
Source records
2
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Standard result: MIC = 1.56 ug.mL-1”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 810721

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1
  2. supports · Source-backed record
    “Standard result: MIC = 1.56 ug.mL-1”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 810723

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1

Study findings

After 24 hrs incubation in Mueller-Hinton broth, CHEMBL412927 inhibited MRSA ATCC 43300 with MIC 2.0 ug.mL-1.

Sources[1]chembl-activitiesChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927Assay: Antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 after 24 hrs in Mueller-Hinton broth medium Assay format: organism-based format Standard result: MIC = 2.0 ug.mL-1
Reported result
MIC = 2.0 ug.mL-1
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Assay: Antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 after 24 hrs in Mueller-Hinton broth medium Assay format: organism-based format Standard result: MIC = 2.0 ug.mL-1”

    ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 · Activity 2202016

    chembl-activities:chembl412927:f35f3876b7b1:f35f3876b7b1

Risks and interactions

Risks, organized for scanning.

This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.

Products and regulatory status

Same ingredient. Different records.

This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.

Administration context

The practical clinical context.

This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.

Research status + gaps

What still needs better answers?

  • No publishable claim yet for: administration, contraindication, interaction, mechanism, regulatory, safety
  • 58 compiled claim(s) withheld by automated assurance: assurance_score_below_0.58 (46), assurance_score_below_0.72 (8), current_regulatory_source_required (6), extraction_ambiguity (52), high_risk_requires_regulatory_or_two_independent_sources (11), no_direct_support (51)

These are the limits of this profile, not an exhaustive list of scientific uncertainties.

References + discovery

Open the records yourself.

  1. ChEMBL activities for CHEMBL412927 ↗

    chembl-activities · published 2026-08-28 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  2. MELITTIN ↗

    chembl-molecule · published 2026-08-28 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  3. IUPHAR ligand commentary ↗

    iuphar-comments · published 2026-08-28 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  4. melittin ↗

    iuphar-ligand · published 2026-08-28 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  5. Biodegradable peptide-based nanoparticles for the in vivo sequestration and neutralization of toxic peptides. ↗

    pubmed · published 2026-10-01 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  6. In vivo evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of melittin on doxorubicin-induced acute and chronic neurotoxicity in mice. ↗

    pubmed · published 2026-09-15 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  7. Melittin attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriatic dermatitis in mice: a role for autophagy activation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway suppression. ↗

    pubmed · published 2026-08-06 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  8. Mechanisms of In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Honeybee Venom Components and Melittin-Functionalized Fe3O4Nanoparticles on HaCaT Keratinocytes and A375 Melanoma Cells. ↗

    pubmed · published 2026-08-01 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  9. Melittin Reprograms Tumor-Associated Macrophages Through CD18-Mediated Immunomodulation. ↗

    pubmed · published 2026-08-20 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

  10. Mechanistic anticancer effects of melittin across cancer hallmarks: A narrative evidence synthesis. ↗

    pubmed · published 2026-08-07 · retrieved 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

Publication history and provenance

Version 2 · Automated assessment · 2026-08-28T12:35:21Z

e4167b3606a6b68fc8bd001de5935f0a5b4c9f0dee8f414f36f6a99d7048eeaa