Production of polyclonal antibodies against Indian honeybee (Apis indica) venom toxins and its efficacy in reversal of toxic effects

In this study, the efficiency of polyclonal anti-honeybee venom (HBV) antibody was successfully explored in the form of reversal of toxic effects induced by the venom. Honeybee venom expresses its toxicity not only by allergic reactions but it also causes molecular toxicity by making alteration in enzymes and bio-molecules. To come out from these toxic effects, polyclonal antibodies were generated by immunizing albino mice. Antibody was partially purified by octanoic acid precipitation and by ammonium sulphate treatment. The presence of antibody in the antiserum was confirmed by immuno-double diffusion test. 40% of LD50 of bee venom was incubated with 400, 800, and 1200 µg of purified antibody and this incubated mixture was injected into experimental mice. Parallel to this, one set of mice were injected with only 40% of LD50 and another injected with only saline which was considered as the control. The venom injected group showed 89.69% decrease in serum protein content while free amino acid, uric acid, cholesterol, pyruvic acid, total lipid and glucose was increased by 112.5, 122.10,102.48,110.0, 125.0 and 107.22% respectively. Subsequently, venom dose also elevated serum ACP, ALP, GPT, GOT, LDH up to 126.92, 128.44, 136.66, 109.09, and 114.24%. Contrarily, it depleted the AchE activity. On the other hand, the group of experimental animals that received 40% of LD50 of venom incubated with purified antiserum showed a complete reversal of the above abnormalities in the content of serum bio-molecules and enzymes.