Formulation, characterization and cellular toxicity assessment of a novel bee-venom microsphere in prostate cancer...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Bee venom (B.V.) possesses therapeutic properties for various cancers, including prostate cancer.
• B.V. is a protein degraded in the gastrointestinal tract, limiting oral administration.
• Colon-targeted delivery systems can protect B.V. and enable oral administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate B.V.-loaded enteric-coated cross-linked microspheres for colon targeting.
• To assess the efficacy and specificity of the microsphere formulation against cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• Microspheres were prepared using an emulsion cross-linking method.
• Evaluated parameters included percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, swelling degree, and in-vitro release.
• Cytotoxic effects were assessed using MTT assay and flow cytometry on prostate cancer cells (PC3) and normal oral epithelial cells (OEC).

Main Results:

• The optimized microsphere formula (F3) demonstrated effectiveness against PC3 cells, comparable to free B.V. and superior to doxorubicin.
• Free B.V. and doxorubicin exhibited cytotoxicity on OEC, while microspheres did not affect OEC viability.
• Flow cytometry indicated that microspheres induced apoptosis and reduced necrosis in cancer cells at IC50 concentration, showing specificity.

Conclusions:

• The developed B.V.-loaded microspheres exhibit targeted cytotoxic effects on malignant prostate cancer cells.
• This formulation demonstrates specificity, sparing normal oral epithelial cells.
• The targeted microsphere delivery system shows potential as a candidate for future clinical trials in cancer therapy.