engleski

The cytotoxic effect of bee venom on human lymphocytes

Bee venom is a very complex mixture of active peptides, enzymes, and amines which can cause proliferation and death of human lymphocytes. Literature data have shown that certain concentrations stimulate proliferation or necrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of bee venom on peripheral blood lymphocytes, depending on different concentrations and time of exposure. Trypan-blue was used to distinguish between cells which enter necrosis and viabile cells. Cells were treated with 0.71, 1.42, 2.85, 5 and 10 ug/ml concentrations of bee venom for 30, 60 and 120 min. In the first 30 min of treatment the cell survival for all concentrations ranged from 90% to 100% ; in 60 min of treatment the cell survival ranged from 77% to 88% and in 120 min it ranged from 69% to 75%. Control samples yielded 100% cell survival for the 30 min treatment, 80% for the 60 min treatment and 75% for the 120 min treatmen. No significant differences were observed between the control and treated samples. As bee venom might inhibit tumor growth by different mechanisms, these preliminary results of the cytotoxic effects could be used for further investigation.

cytotoxic effect; bee venom; human lymphocytes

nije evidentirano