CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of cardamom (elettaria cardamomum) against bee venom toxicity in an in vitro wound model
1
Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Türkiye
2
Center of Toxicology Science and Applications, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
3
Universidad Ecotec, Samborondón, Ecuador
4
I.M. Sechenov First State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
Publication date: 2026-07-30
Public Health Toxicol 2026;6(Supplement 1):A25
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), which contains compounds with potential anticonvulsant activity, is consumed as an aromatic spice native to Asian regions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the biological activities of E. cardamomum and its polyphenols, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory effects. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce infection risk in the wound area and accelerate healing. Bee venom (apitoxin) is a mixture of bioactive molecules, with melittin as its major component, and is rich in proteins, lipids, and various hormones with significant pharmacological effects. Based on this knowledge, the present study aimed to investigate whether E. cardamomum could alleviate bee venom-induced inflammation in an in vitro wound.
Methods:
A wound model was created on a fibroblast cell line using a 200 µL pipette tip, followed by the application of bee venom at a toxic dose (5 µg/mL) for 15 minutes. The cells were then treated with different concentrations of E. cardamomum (1, 2, and 3 µg/mL) for 48 hours. At the end of the treatment, cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity were evaluated by TAS, TOS, LDHA, and NO analyses. Apoptotic features were examined using Annexin-V/PI staining and DAPI immunofluorescence. All data were statistically analyzed.
Results:
Cell viability was reduced by 49.92% in the bee venom group (P<0.05). However, E. cardamomum preserved cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest effect observed at 3 µg/mL, showing approximately a 1.5-fold increase compared to the bee venom group (P<0.01). LDH levels in the treatment group decreased 2.3-fold compared to the bee venom control (P<0.01). Moreover, E. cardamomum reduced oxidative damage and lowered NO levels by approximately 2.3-fold (P<0.01). The vasodilatory effect of NO contributed to increased blood flow, enhanced oxygen and nutrient supply, and promoted cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed decreased Annexin (FITC)/PI-positive cells, indicating suppression of apoptosis.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that E. cardamomum treatment substantially mitigates bee venom-induced cytotoxicity and cellular damage in vitro.
Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), which contains compounds with potential anticonvulsant activity, is consumed as an aromatic spice native to Asian regions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the biological activities of E. cardamomum and its polyphenols, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory effects. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce infection risk in the wound area and accelerate healing. Bee venom (apitoxin) is a mixture of bioactive molecules, with melittin as its major component, and is rich in proteins, lipids, and various hormones with significant pharmacological effects. Based on this knowledge, the present study aimed to investigate whether E. cardamomum could alleviate bee venom-induced inflammation in an in vitro wound.
Methods:
A wound model was created on a fibroblast cell line using a 200 µL pipette tip, followed by the application of bee venom at a toxic dose (5 µg/mL) for 15 minutes. The cells were then treated with different concentrations of E. cardamomum (1, 2, and 3 µg/mL) for 48 hours. At the end of the treatment, cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity were evaluated by TAS, TOS, LDHA, and NO analyses. Apoptotic features were examined using Annexin-V/PI staining and DAPI immunofluorescence. All data were statistically analyzed.
Results:
Cell viability was reduced by 49.92% in the bee venom group (P<0.05). However, E. cardamomum preserved cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest effect observed at 3 µg/mL, showing approximately a 1.5-fold increase compared to the bee venom group (P<0.01). LDH levels in the treatment group decreased 2.3-fold compared to the bee venom control (P<0.01). Moreover, E. cardamomum reduced oxidative damage and lowered NO levels by approximately 2.3-fold (P<0.01). The vasodilatory effect of NO contributed to increased blood flow, enhanced oxygen and nutrient supply, and promoted cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed decreased Annexin (FITC)/PI-positive cells, indicating suppression of apoptosis.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that E. cardamomum treatment substantially mitigates bee venom-induced cytotoxicity and cellular damage in vitro.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in the publication of this article. The authors have no conflicts of interest to report in this work. Abstract was not submitted elsewhere and is first published here.
FUNDING
"The project was partially funded by the European Union's "Horizon Europe" framework programme, project name: "European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC)".
| eISSN: | 2732-8929 |
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