Bee Venom Effect on Glioblastoma Cells Viability and Gelatinase Secretion.

Background: The involvement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the pathogenesis of various kinds of cancers including glioblastoma is well documented. The evaluation of the anticancer potential of honey bee () venom (BV) consisting of the inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion in a glioblastoma cell culture model was the aim of the study.

Methods: 8-MG-BA and GAMG human primary glioblastoma cell lines vs. HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells were applied for the study. The BV dose (0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.5, and 5.0 μg/ml) and time-dependent (24, 48, 72 h) cytotoxicity was evaluated with the tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT test). MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in the cell culture medium under different BV concentrations were determined by gelatin zymography.

Results: A dose and time-dependent BV effect on cytotoxicity of both glioblastoma cell lines and hippocampus line was observed. The weakest, but statistically important effect was exerted by BV on HT-22 cells. The greatest cytotoxic effect of BV was observed on the 8-MG-BA line, where a statistically significant reduction in viability was observed at the lowest BV dose and the shortest incubation time. The reduction of both gelatinases secretion was observed at 8-MG-BA and GAMG lines without significant effect of HT-22 cell line.

Conclusion: studies indicate that BV has both cytotoxic and inhibitory effects on the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in selected lines of glioma, suggesting anticancer properties of BV.