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Melittin exerts an antitumor effect on non‑small cell lung cancer cells
1Department of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital of Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Lung cancer accounts for a significant percentage of all cancer‑associated mortalities in men and women, with non‑small cell lung cancer being the most frequently occurring type of lung cancer. Melittin is the principal active component of apitoxin (bee venom) that has been reported to exert anti‑chronic inflammatory and anti‑cancer effects. In the present study, the antitumor effect of melittin was evaluated using in vivo and in vitro analyses. The results demonstrated that melittin significantly inhibited the epidermal growth factor‑induced invasion and migration of non‑small cell lung cancer cells. Subcutaneous injection of melittin at doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg significantly suppressed non‑small cell lung cancer tumor growth by 27 and 61%, respectively. In addition, melittin significantly inhibited the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in non‑small cell lung cancer cells. Furthermore, melittin decreased the protein expression of VEGF and hypoxia‑inducible factor 1‑α. Therefore, the antitumor activity of melittin may be associated with the anti‑angiogenic actions of inhibiting the VEGF and hypoxia‑inducible factor signaling pathways.
Insights
Melittin, a bee venom component, shows significant anti-cancer effects against non-small cell lung cancer. It inhibits tumor growth and spread by targeting key pathways involved in blood vessel formation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most prevalent type.
- Melittin, the primary component of bee venom (apitoxin), possesses known anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of melittin against non-small cell lung cancer using in vivo and in vitro models.
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying melittin's anti-cancer activity, particularly its effects on angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays were used to assess the impact of melittin on NSCLC cell invasion and migration.
- In vivo studies involved subcutaneous injections of melittin in mice bearing NSCLC tumors.
- Western blot analysis was performed to measure protein expression levels of VEGF and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α.
Main Results:
- Melittin significantly inhibited epidermal growth factor-induced invasion and migration of NSCLC cells.
- Subcutaneous administration of melittin (1 and 10 mg/kg) suppressed tumor growth by 27% and 61%, respectively.
- Melittin reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and protein expression, as well as hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α levels in NSCLC cells.
Conclusions:
- Melittin demonstrates potent antitumor activity against non-small cell lung cancer.
- The anti-cancer effects of melittin are likely mediated by its ability to inhibit angiogenesis through the suppression of VEGF and hypoxia-inducible factor signaling pathways.
