TNF and bacterial vaginosis: In addition to BV, experimental studies have shown that its components, such as melittin, apamin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting the production of prostaglandin E2, NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ [21,22,23].