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Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro
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Bee venom exhibits anti-cancer effects on tongue carcinoma cells by arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, and

Enas Sabry1, Hagar M Zayed1, Ola M Ezzatt1,2

  • 1Ain Shams University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology and Oral Diagnosis, Cairo, Egypt.

Journal of Applied Oral Science : Revista FOB
|August 13, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Honey bee venom (BV) exhibits anti-cancer effects against tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) by inducing apoptosis and reducing cell migration. Further research is needed to explore BV as a potential therapy for tongue carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is an aggressive cancer known for treatment resistance.
  • Honey bee venom (BV) contains bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro anti-cancer effects of honey bee venom (BV) on a human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell line.
  • To determine BV's impact on TSCC cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration.

Main Methods:

  • Cytotoxicity assays were performed to determine the IC50 of BV on HNO-97 cells.
  • Apoptosis was assessed via Annexin V assay and BAX/BCL-2 gene expression analysis.
  • Cell cycle analysis and Transwell migration assays evaluated BV's effects on proliferation and migration.

Main Results:

  • BV demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 12.96 μg/mL against HNO-97 cells.
  • BV induced cell cycle arrest, reduced cell migration, and modulated BAX and BCL-2 gene expression.
  • Significant decrease in BCL-2 (p=0.001) and increase in BAX (p=0.03) gene expression were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Honey bee venom exhibits significant anti-cancer activity against human TSCC in vitro.
  • BV induces apoptosis and inhibits cell migration in TSCC cells.
  • These findings support further preclinical studies of BV as a potential alternative therapy for tongue carcinoma.

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