Cytokine and inflammatory mediators are associated with cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic activity of honeybee venom

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate cytotoxic, apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties of bee venom (BV) as well as changes in cytokine secretion levels and nitric oxide (NO) production using three different cancer cell lines [liver (Hep-G2), breast (MCF-7), and cervical (HPV-18 infected HeLa cells)] and two normal cells (splenocytes and macrophages (MQ).MethodsCytotoxic activity of BV against tumor cell lines and normal splenocytes/MQ was tested by MTT assay. By ELISA (ELISA); Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), Interleukine (IL-10) and interferon (IFN-γ) were measured. Caspase three expressions was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Nitric oxide (NO) was estimated using a colorimetric assay.ResultsBV has a significant cytotoxic effect on all cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner; none of them was toxic for normal cells. Treating Hep-G2 cells with BV showed a reduction in IL-10, elevation in TNF-α with no change in IFN-γ level. MCF-7 cells have low IL-10 and TNF-α and high IFN-γ production level. Elevation of IL-10 and IFN-γ coincides with a reduction in TNF-α level was demonstrated in HeLa cells. The expression of Caspase three was dramatically increased with elevation in BV concentration in all tested cancer cell lines. A gradual decrease in NO production by MQ with increasing BV dose was observed.ConclusionTaken together, our results stressed on the importance of BV as a potent anti-tumor agent against various types of cancers (Liver, Breast, and Cervix). Further steps towards the use of BV for pharmacological purposes must be done.

Revisiting edible insects as sources of therapeutics and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

“…In recent years, several in vivo and in vitro studies reported that chemical constituents found in bee venom can be used in the treatment of diseases like cancer, arthritis, skin diseases, and diseases associated with the vascular system. Its promising positive effects have been reported against several cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian, prostate, breast, lung and urinary bladder cancer, and melanoma (Wehbe et al, 2019;Salama et al, 2021;Shi et al, 2022). The main constituent of bee venom is melittin which comprises 40%-50% of the total dry weight.…”

Pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of honey bee venom

“…Additionally , melittin selectively targeted tumor cells because these cells possess high membrane potential as compared to normal cells ( Gajski et al, 2016a , Gajski et al, 2016b ) and the concentration, which was used against tumor cells, does not affect the normal cells growth ( Gajski and Garaj-Vrhovac 2013 ). Bee venom holds anti-tumor efficacy against different cancer cells like Breast cancer cell, Liver and Cervix cancer cells in a time and dose dependent way and have no side effect on non-target cells ( Salama et al, 2021 ).…”