Synergistic antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Prunus armeniaca and bee venom on breast cancer cells
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: (PA) and bee venom (BV) have demonstrated anticancer potential. Methods: This study evaluates the synergistic effects of PA and BV on breast cancer cells, focusing on proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were treated with varying concentrations (0-500 µg/mL) of PA, BV, and their combination. Cytotoxicity was assessed via the MTT assay, and the IC50 values were determined using GraphPad Prism. Colony formation, phase contrast microscopy, Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) staining, transwell invasion, and Western blot assays were performed to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA. Result and discussion: values reduced to 35.148 µg/mL in MCF-7 cells and 73.80 µg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a synergistic effect. Colony formation assays revealed an 83% reduction at the highest dose (70.3 µg/mL). Morphological assessment showed characteristic apoptotic features, including cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing. AO/EB staining confirmed apoptosis induction, with apoptotic cells increasing from 3.2% in controls to 65.3% at 70.3 µg/mL. Western blot analysis demonstrated Bax upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation, supporting apoptosis activation. Transwell invasion assays indicated a 59% reduction in cell invasion, suggesting that BV-PA effectively suppresses metastasis. BV-PA exhibits potent antiproliferative, pro- apoptotic, and anti-invasive effects in MCF-7 cells. These findings highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment, particularly TNBC. Further investigations are warranted to explore its molecular mechanisms and
Source: Frontiers in Oncology
Authors: Sultan F. Kadasah, Abdulmajeed F. Alrefaei, Fahd Mohammed Abd Al Galil, Abdulaziz M.S. Alqahtani
Institutions: University of Bisha, Umm al-Qura University
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funder: University of Bisha
OpenAlex ID: W4413779029