<i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells
Bee venom (BV) is one of the most remarkable natural products that has been a subject of studies since ancient times. Recent studies have shown that <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> venom possesses antibacterial as well as cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. The venom contains a variety...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/5/1653 |
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| author | Carole Yaacoub Rim Wehbe Yahya Salma Dany El-Obeid Romeo El Bersaoui Bruno Coutard Ziad Fajloun |
| author_facet | Carole Yaacoub Rim Wehbe Yahya Salma Dany El-Obeid Romeo El Bersaoui Bruno Coutard Ziad Fajloun |
| author_sort | Carole Yaacoub |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bee venom (BV) is one of the most remarkable natural products that has been a subject of studies since ancient times. Recent studies have shown that <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> venom possesses antibacterial as well as cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. The venom contains a variety of bioactive molecules—mainly melittin (MEL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), as well as other compounds that are not well characterized. In this work, we continue the biological characterization of <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom by testing its anticoagulant effect on human plasma using the prothrombin time (PT) test, as well as assessing its proteolytic activity. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the crude venom—and of its two main components, MEL and PLA2—was tested on HeLa cancer cell lines for the first time. The results obtained showed the capacity of <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom to increase clotting time, thereby proving its anticoagulant effect. Moreover, the venom did not demonstrate a significant proteolytic activity unless administrated at concentrations ≥ 5 mg/mL. Finally, we showed that crude <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom, along with MEL, exhibit a strong in vitro cytotoxic effect on HeLa cancer cell lines, even at low concentrations. In summary, our findings could serve as a basis for the development of new natural-based drug candidates in the therapeutic field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:29:34Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:29:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-dc113c8761ac42dba1224ffe88c74ce82023-11-23T23:27:42ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492022-03-01275165310.3390/molecules27051653<i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer CellsCarole Yaacoub0Rim Wehbe1Yahya Salma2Dany El-Obeid3Romeo El Bersaoui4Bruno Coutard5Ziad Fajloun6Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, LebanonBiology Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonLaboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, LebanonFaculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh, Beirut 2832, LebanonDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences 3, Lebanese University, Michel Slayman Tripoli Campus Ras Maska, Tripoli 1352, LebanonUnité des Virus Émergents, Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, FranceLaboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, LebanonBee venom (BV) is one of the most remarkable natural products that has been a subject of studies since ancient times. Recent studies have shown that <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> venom possesses antibacterial as well as cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. The venom contains a variety of bioactive molecules—mainly melittin (MEL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), as well as other compounds that are not well characterized. In this work, we continue the biological characterization of <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom by testing its anticoagulant effect on human plasma using the prothrombin time (PT) test, as well as assessing its proteolytic activity. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the crude venom—and of its two main components, MEL and PLA2—was tested on HeLa cancer cell lines for the first time. The results obtained showed the capacity of <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom to increase clotting time, thereby proving its anticoagulant effect. Moreover, the venom did not demonstrate a significant proteolytic activity unless administrated at concentrations ≥ 5 mg/mL. Finally, we showed that crude <i>A. mellifera syriaca</i> venom, along with MEL, exhibit a strong in vitro cytotoxic effect on HeLa cancer cell lines, even at low concentrations. In summary, our findings could serve as a basis for the development of new natural-based drug candidates in the therapeutic field.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/5/1653bee venom<i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i>anticoagulant effectproteolytic activityHeLa cell linesmelittin |
| spellingShingle | Carole Yaacoub Rim Wehbe Yahya Salma Dany El-Obeid Romeo El Bersaoui Bruno Coutard Ziad Fajloun <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells Molecules bee venom <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> anticoagulant effect proteolytic activity HeLa cell lines melittin |
| title | <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells |
| title_full | <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells |
| title_fullStr | <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells |
| title_short | <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect, Proteolytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells |
| title_sort | i apis mellifera syriaca i venom evaluation of its anticoagulant effect proteolytic activity and cytotoxicity along with its two main compounds mel and pla2 on hela cancer cells |
| topic | bee venom <i>Apis mellifera syriaca</i> anticoagulant effect proteolytic activity HeLa cell lines melittin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/5/1653 |
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