engleski

Cell response to whole bee venom in regard to possible therapeutic application

Number of studies regarding beneficial role of bee venom (BV) have been published stating that BV possesses radioprotective, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and anticancer activities. Recent studies have also reported several mechanisms of cytotoxicity in different types of cancer cells such as cell cycle alterations, effect on proliferation and growth inhibition, as well as induction of apoptosis or necrosis. Since there is limited information regarding the effect of BV on normal cells the present studies were carried out in human white blood cells in order to elucidate the toxic potential of this complex mixture and mechanisms behind these effects. We used the DNA diffusion assay, phase-contrast and fluorescent microscopy to see the impact on cell viability, type of cell death, and morphological alterations, whereas the cytogenotoxic status was assessed with the micronucleus test. DNA damage and its relation to oxidative stress were evaluated using standard alkaline and Fpg-modified comet assay in addition of measuring glutathione and malondialdehyde level after BV treatment. BV was tested in vitro in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 20 μg/ml at different time periods from 1 to 48 h. Our results showed lower cell viability, morphological cell alterations, cytogenotoxicity, and dominantly necrotic type of cell death after treatment with BV. All the effects were time- and dose-dependent. Except basal DNA damage, increase in oxidative DNA damage was also noted and was significantly correlated with changes in malondialdehyde and glutathione level. Pre-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine prior to BV incubation significantly protected cells against BV-induced DNA damage what additionally confirms involvement of oxidative stress in BV mediated toxicity. Since our results indicate that whole BV induces cell instability, further research about the impact on different types of cell lines may suggest in which direction the application of this natural product should develop in medical practice.

bee venom; human lymphocytes; oxidative stress

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