Algerian bee Venom attenuates formaldehyde-induced acute inflammation and oxidative stress in male rats

Abstract

Formaldehyde exposure is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to systemic toxicity. Natural products such as bee venom have been proposed as alternative therapeutic agents due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study investigated the potential of Algerian Apis mellifera intermissa bee venom to attenuate formaldehyde-induced acute inflammation and oxidative stress in male rats. Inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of 0.1 mL of a 2.5% formaldehyde solution into the hind paw. One hour later, rats received either subcutaneous bee venom (0.76 mg/kg) or oral diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg) as a reference drug. Paw edema was quantified using ImageJ software. Blood samples were analyzed for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), and albumin levels. Oxidative stress biomarkers including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were assessed in erythrocytes. Formaldehyde exposure produced sustained paw edema, impaired body weight gain, reduced food and water intake, systemic inflammatory alterations, and pronounced oxidative stress characterized by increased lipid peroxidation and depletion of erythrocyte antioxidant defenses. Bee venom treatment significantly attenuated paw swelling, improved systemic inflammatory alterations, and partially restored redox balance, with effects comparable to those of diclofenac. The overall protective effects of bee venom were comparable to those of diclofenac. These findings demonstrate that A. mellifera intermissa venom exerts significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions and may represent a promising natural therapeutic candidate for inflammation associated with oxidative stress.