Kassyane de Amorim Lourenço

Apitherapy is a complementary therapeutic approach based on the use of bee-derived products, particularly bee venom (BV), also known as apitoxin. Bee venom is a complex mixture of biologically active compounds, including peptides, enzymes, and biogenic amines, that exhibit diverse pharmacological activities. Major bioactive constituents such as melittin, apamin, adolapin, and phospholipase A2 have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biological effects and therapeutic potential of bee venom in the management of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies suggests that BV and its components can modulate multiple molecular pathways associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and immune responses. These mechanisms contribute to potential benefits in glycemic control, tumor suppression, neuroprotection, and pain management. Additionally, bee venom has been investigated for its capacity to influence signaling pathways involved in cellular proliferation and survival, highlighting its potential as a complementary strategy in the treatment of complex diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Despite these promising therapeutic effects, the clinical use of BV remains limited due to safety concerns, particularly the risk of allergic reactions, systemic toxicity, and anaphylaxis. Recent advances in drug delivery systems and nanotechnology may help improve the safety and efficacy of BV-based therapies by enabling targeted delivery and controlled dosing. Overall, bee venom represents a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in translational and integrative medicine; however, further well-designed clinical trials and mechanistic studies are necessary to establish its safety, efficacy, and long-term therapeutic value.

Objective: Understand the pathology and management of neonatal bacterial meningitis, addressing diagnosis and treatment. Methods: An integrative literature review was carried out, following the PICO strategy (population, intervention/exposure, comparator and outcome), with a search in databases such as PubMed and Portal Capes. Observational studies from the last 10 years related to the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis in neonates were included. Result: The main results highlighted the importance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in diagnosis, the appropriate choice of antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, and advanced diagnostic methods for early identification of the disease. Furthermore, infectious agents associated with meningitis and effective therapeutic strategies were discussed. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach, simple clinical indicators, CSF analysis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial for an accurate diagnosis and effective management of neonatal bacterial meningitis. It is necessary to continue research and development of new technologies to improve the management of this critical condition, especially in regions with limited resources, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients.