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Published on: February 6, 2015
Cytotoxic Effect of Bee (A. mellifera) Venom on Cancer Cell Lines
Sima Khalilifard Borojeni1, Hossein Zolfagharian1, Mahdi Babaie1,2
1Department of Venomous Animals and Antivenom Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
Objectives:
Nowadays cancer treatment is an important challenge in the medical world that needs better therapies. Many active secretions produced by insects such as honey bees used to discover new anticancer drugs. Bee venom (BV) has a potent anti inflammatory, anti cancer and tumor effects. The aim of present study is evaluation of anticancer effects induced by Apis mellifera venom (AmV) on cell Lines.
Methods:
AmV was selected for study on cancer cell lines. Total protein, molecular weight and LD50 of crude venom were determined. Then, cells were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics. The A549, HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cell Lines were exposed by different concentration of AmV. The morphology of cells was determined and cell viability was studed by MTT assay. Evaluation of cell death was determined by and DNA fragmentation.
Results:
The results from MTT assay showed that 3.125 µg/mL of A549, 12.5 for HeLa and 6.25 µg/mL of MDA-MB-231 killed 50% of cells (p < 0.05). Morphological analysis and the results from hoescht staining and DNA fragmentation indicated that cell death induced by AmV was significantly apoptosis.
Conclusion:
The data showed that using lower dosage of AmV during treatment period cause inhibition of proliferation in time and dose dependant manner. Findings indicated that some ingredients of AmV have anticancer effects and with further investigation it can be used in production of anticancer drugs.
Insights
Apis mellifera venom (AmV) exhibits significant anticancer properties, effectively inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Further research into AmV components could lead to new anticancer drug development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer treatment remains a significant global challenge requiring novel therapeutic strategies.
- Insect-derived compounds, like bee venom (BV), are explored for their potential anticancer properties.
- Apis mellifera venom (AmV) demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antitumor effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anticancer effects of Apis mellifera venom (AmV) on various human cancer cell lines.
- To determine the dose-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation by AmV.
- To investigate the mechanism of cell death induced by AmV.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of crude AmV, including total protein, molecular weight, and LD50 determination.
- Culturing of A549, HeLa, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines.
- Exposure of cell lines to varying concentrations of AmV, followed by MTT assay for viability, morphological analysis, Hoescht staining, and DNA fragmentation assays to assess apoptosis.
Main Results:
- AmV demonstrated significant cytotoxicity, with specific concentrations inhibiting 50% of cell viability in A549 (3.125 µg/mL), HeLa (12.5 µg/mL), and MDA-MB-231 (6.25 µg/mL) cell lines (p < 0.05).
- Morphological analysis, Hoescht staining, and DNA fragmentation assays confirmed that AmV induces cell death primarily through apoptosis.
- AmV exhibited dose-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Apis mellifera venom possesses significant anticancer effects, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- The findings suggest that AmV induces cancer cell death via apoptosis.
- AmV contains active ingredients with therapeutic potential for developing novel anticancer drugs.
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