PEPTIDESTAT
Research onlyAntimicrobial & immuneSubcutaneousEvidence 2/5

Melittin

Also known as: bee venom peptide

Melittin inserts into lipid bilayers and folds into an amphipathic alpha-helix that forms transmembrane toroidal pores, disrupting the membrane and lysing cells without binding a specific receptor.

Read guideBuy / compare source
Melittin
Drug class
Cytolytic antimicrobial (membrane-active) peptide
Primary targets
Phospholipid bilayer membranes, Microbial cell membranes, Cancer cell membranes
Dose reference
No validated human dose; in vitro antibacterial MIC values reported around 8-32 ug/mL (laboratory measurements, explicitly not dosing recommendations)
Half-life
Not established in humans; reviews report rapid plasma degradation and poor pharmacokinetics
Developer / origin
Honeybee venom (Apis mellifera); first isolated and sequenced by Habermann and Jentsch
Reference year
1967
Evidence score
2/5 - Preclinical
Evidence 2/5

Preclinical

Melittin shows broad in vitro and animal-model antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer activity through membrane-pore formation, but there are no human trials demonstrating therapeutic benefit and development is limited by hemolysis and non-selective toxicity.

Mostly animal, ex vivo, cell, or indirect evidence.

Evidence basis

  • In vitro antibacterial activity against drug-resistant pathogens (MIC ~8-32 ug/mL)
  • Preclinical anticancer mechanisms in cell and animal models
  • Documented hemolysis and normal-cell cytotoxicity at low concentrations
  • No approved human indication and no positive human efficacy trials

How to read this entry

Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.

Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.

Melittin guides

Read the matching guide or adjacent research pages for more context.

Melittin Peptide: Bee Venom Cytolytic Peptide, Research and SafetyMelittin is the main cytolytic peptide of honeybee venom with promising preclinical antimicrobial and anticancer signals but no approved human use due to hemolysis and toxicity.Antimicrobial Peptides: LL-37, KPV, Melittin and Evidence LimitsAntimicrobial peptides are a real area of drug research, but LL-37, KPV, melittin and related peptides sit at very different evidence and safety levels.Thymalin Peptide: Khavinson Thymic Bioregulator, Evidence and LimitsThymalin is a calf-thymus peptide bioregulator approved in Russia for immunocorrection, with aging and immune claims resting mostly on Russian-language studies.Thymogen Peptide: Glutamyl-Tryptophan Immune Bioregulator Evidence and LimitsThymogen is a synthetic glutamyl-tryptophan dipeptide immunomodulator marketed in Russia but unapproved elsewhere, with limited rigorous human evidence.

Peptide calculators

Use calculators for concentration, unit conversion and repeated-dose accumulation math.

Peptide reconstitution calculatorCalculate concentration, draw volume and syringe units from vial strength and BAC water.Open toolPeptide accumulation calculatorModel repeated dosing schedules with half-life, interval, peak and trough estimates.Open toolPeptide unit converterConvert mg, mcg, optional IU and syringe units from one reconstituted vial setup.Open toolPeptide chemistry calculatorAnalyze sequence length, molecular weight, composition, charge, hydropathy and notation.Open tool

Research & educational purposes only

The information on PeptideStat is for educational and research purposes only and is not medical advice. Many peptides discussed are research compounds not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Articles may contain affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.