Melittin—A Natural Peptide from Bee Venom Which Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukaemia Cells

Abstract

Bee venom is a very complex mixture produced and secreted by the honeybee (Apis mellifera). Melittin is a major component of bee venom that accounts for about 52% of its dry mass. A vast number of studies have been dedicated to the effects of melittin’s regulation of apoptosis and to the factors that induce apoptosis in various types of cancer such as breast, ovarian, prostate, lung. The latest evidence indicates its potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukaemia. The aim of our present study is to evaluate melittin’s ability to induce apoptosis in leukaemia cell lines of different origin acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CCRF-CEM) and chronic myelogenous leukaemia (K-562). We demonstrated that melittin strongly reduced cell viability in both leukaemia cell lines but not in physiological peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). Subsequent estimated parameters (mitochondrial membrane potential, Annexin V binding and Caspases 3/7 activity) clearly demonstrated that melittin induced apoptosis in leukaemia cells. This is a very important step for research into the development of new potential anti-leukaemia as well as anticancer therapies. Further analyses on the molecular level have been also planned (analysis of proapoptotic genes expression and DNA damages) for our next research project, which will also focus on melittin.

Cytotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of a Sub-Toxic Concentration of Fluvastatin on OVCAR3 Ovarian Cancer Cells After its Optimized Formulation to Melittin Nano-Conjugates

“…As clearly depicted, FLV-MEL nano-conjugates treatment strongly inhibited the proliferation of OVCAR3 cells, measured by the reduction of G1→S transition as well as the inhibition of the transition from G2 to M phase. These effects could depend on the ability of MEL to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells ( Tipgomut et al, 2018 ; Ceremuga et al, 2020 ; Yao et al, 2020 ) which acts synergistically with FLV ( Hillyard et al, 2002 ; Garwood et al, 2010 ; Hwang et al, 2017 ) even when used at a sub-toxic concentration.…”

Effect of Bitis gabonica and Dendroaspis angusticeps snake venoms on apoptosis-related genes in human thymic epithelial cells

“…Activation of cell apoptosis through the main effector caspase molecules is characteristic to venoms of animal origin. In a recent article published by Ceremuga et al [ 89 ] the apoptotic activity of melittin, a bee venom fraction, has been correlated with elevated caspase-3 and caspase-7 levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Boeno et al [ 90 ] have shown that purified Lys49-PLA2 homologue from Bothrops jararacussu might contribute to inflammasome formation through the activation of NLRP3, which in turn interacts with caspase-1, leading to an inflammatory response via IL-1β.…”

Perspectives and controversies regarding the use of natural products for the treatment of lung cancer

“…Bee venom is a complex mixture of bioactive substances that can be injected into specific parts of the body during bee venom therapy. In recent years, bee venom has been used to treat many diseases, such as cancer, chronic pain, arthritis and atopic dermatitis 77 . Melittin is the main component of the venom and is an amphiphilic peptide with 26 amino acid residues 78 .…”