Work

Anticancer Activity of Melittin-Containing Bee Venom Fraction Against Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Previous observations indicating a lower incidence of various types of cancer in beekeepers suggest that greater exposure to stings reduces the risk of cancer development. However, it is not known which of the active compounds of the bee venom (BV) may be responsible for the observed properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-glioblastoma effect of the main BV fractions. In addition, the effect of BV fractions on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) was assessed. Commercially available BV was divided into three fractions containing one of the main BV components: apamin (fraction #1), phospholipase A2 (fraction #2), or melittin (fraction #3). The viability of glioblastoma lines (LN18 and LN229) compared to a physiological line (human MO3.13) was assessed using the MTT. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was assessed using gelatin zymography. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) levels in cell culture media were measured with the ELISA method. The fraction containing apamin did not show cytotoxic activity up to a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The fraction containing phospholipase A2 partially reduced the cells’ viability at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The greatest activity was demonstrated by the melittin-containing fraction which completely reduced the viability of glioma cells from a concentration of 2.5 μg/mL and inhibited the activity of the assessed metalloproteinases in a dose-dependent manner. After 72 h of incubation, the highest concentrations of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 (approximately 150 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL, respectively) were observed in the LN229 line. In all tested lines, fraction #3, crude BV, and melittin reduced the secretion of both inhibitors into the medium in a dose-dependent manner. The melittin-containing fraction possessed anti-glioma properties in vitro, suggesting that melittin may be the main anticancer compound of BV.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms26062376

Authors: Agata Małek, Maciej Strzemski, Lucyna Kapka-Skrzypczak, Jacek Kurzepa

Institutions: Medical University of Lublin, Instytut Medycyny Wsi im. Witolda Chodźki, Uniwersytet Kaliski im. Prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare and Venom Research

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499