Study on the Effect of Bee Venom and Its Main Component melittin In Delaying Skin Aging in Mice

Bee venom (BV) and its main compound melittin (MLT) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities; however, very little research has been conducted on their effects on skin aging. In this study, a mouse skin aging model induced by D-galactose (D-gal) was constructed via subcutaneous injection into the scruff of the neck, and different doses of BV and MLT were used as interventions. The anti-aging effects and mechanisms of BV and MLT were explored by detecting the skin morphology and structure, anti-aging-related factors and non-targeted metabolomics of mice. BV and MLT improved dermal and epidermal thickness, boosted the collagen fiber content, increased hydroxyproline and hyaluronic acid levels, and enhanced transcript-level expression of IL-10, Col1a1, and Col3a1, while decreasing that of IL-1β. Metabolomic analysis showed that BV and MLT regulated the levels of some metabolites (compared to those in the skin aging control). BV effectively alleviated skin aging by regulating the pentose phosphate pathway, and pathways as-sociated with carbon, galactose, and β-alanine metabolism, whereas MLT regulated the pathways related to lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and atherosclerosis. This study highlights the potential applicability of BV and MLT in skin aging treatments and cosmetic products.