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Yang L, He X, Xue Y, Zhi D, Meng Q, Zhao W, Gong X, Yue D, Dong K, Tian Y. Amelioration of melittin on adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis: Integrated transcriptome and metabolome. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132293. [PMID: 38735618 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease lacking a definitive cure. Although conventional treatments such as dexamethasone and methotrexate are prevalent, their usage is constrained by potential adverse effects. Melittin (MLT) has emerged as a promising natural anti-rheumatic drug; however, studies focusing on the role of MLT in modulating the expression and metabolism of RA-related genes are scarce. METHOD Arthritis was induced in rats using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), followed by MLT injections for treatment. Post-treatment, the inflammatory status of each group was assessed, and the mechanistic underpinnings of MLT's ameliorative effects on RA were elucidated through transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Additionally, this study conducted qRT-PCR validation of key therapeutic genes and characterized the molecular docking interactions of MLT with key receptor proteins (TNF-α and IL-1β) using the AutoDock Vina software. RESULT MLT significantly diminished redness and swelling in affected joints, ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration, and mitigated joint damage. Integration of transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed that MLT predominantly regulated the transcription levels of pathways and genes related to cytokines and immune responses, and the metabolic biomarkers of Sphingomyelin, fatty acid, and flavonoid. qRT-PCR confirmed MLT's downregulation of inflammation-related genes such as Il6, Jak2, Stat3, and Ptx3. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated the stable binding of MLT to TNF-α and IL-1β. CONCLUSION MLT demonstrated significant efficacy in alleviating RA. This study provides a comprehensive summary of MLT's impact on gene expression and metabolic processes associated with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfu Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Xiying He
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Yunfei Xue
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Dandan Zhi
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Qingxin Meng
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Wenzheng Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Xueyang Gong
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Dan Yue
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Kun Dong
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Yakai Tian
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honey Bee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
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Pinto MB, Pires PC, Calhelha RC, Silva AR, Sousa MJ, Vilas-Boas M, Falcão SI, Veiga F, Makvandi P, Paiva-Santos AC. Bee Venom-Loaded Niosomes as Innovative Platforms for Cancer Treatment: Development and Therapeutical Efficacy and Safety Evaluation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:572. [PMID: 38794142 PMCID: PMC11123916 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite past efforts towards therapeutical innovation, cancer remains a highly incident and lethal disease, with current treatments lacking efficiency and leading to severe side effects. Hence, it is imperative to develop new, more efficient, and safer therapies. Bee venom has proven to have multiple and synergistic bioactivities, including antitumor effects. Nevertheless, some toxic effects have been associated with its administration. To tackle these issues, in this work, bee venom-loaded niosomes were developed, for cancer treatment. The vesicles had a small (150 nm) and homogeneous (polydispersity index of 0.162) particle size, and revealed good therapeutic efficacy in in vitro gastric, colorectal, breast, lung, and cervical cancer models (inhibitory concentrations between 12.37 ng/mL and 14.72 ng/mL). Additionally, they also revealed substantial anti-inflammatory activity (inhibitory concentration of 28.98 ng/mL), effects complementary to direct antitumor activity. Niosome safety was also assessed, both in vitro (skin, liver, and kidney cells) and ex vivo (hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane), and results showed that compound encapsulation increased its safety. Hence, small, and homogeneous bee venom-loaded niosomes were successfully developed, with substantial anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, making them potentially promising primary or adjuvant cancer therapies. Future research should focus on evaluating the potential of the developed platform in in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Beatriz Pinto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia C. Pires
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ricardo C. Calhelha
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal (M.V.-B.); (S.I.F.)
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Silva
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal (M.V.-B.); (S.I.F.)
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Maria João Sousa
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal (M.V.-B.); (S.I.F.)
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Miguel Vilas-Boas
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal (M.V.-B.); (S.I.F.)
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Soraia I. Falcão
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal (M.V.-B.); (S.I.F.)
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Francisco Veiga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China
- Centre of Research Impact and Outreach, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140417, India
- Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Ana Cláudia Paiva-Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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Jafari Z, Sadeghi S, Dehaghi MM, Bigham A, Honarmand S, Tavasoli A, Hoseini MHM, Varma RS. Immunomodulatory activities and biomedical applications of melittin and its recent advances. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300569. [PMID: 38251938 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Melittin (MLT), a peptide containing 26 amino acids, is a key constituent of bee venom. It comprises ∼40%-60% of the venom's dry weight and is the main pricing index for bee venom, being the causative factor of pain. The unique properties of MLT extracted from bee venom have made it a very valuable active ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry as this cationic and amphipathic peptide has propitious effects on human health in diverse biological processes. It has the ability to strongly impact the membranes of cells and display hemolytic activity with anticancer characteristics. However, the clinical application of MLT has been limited by its severe hemolytic activity, which poses a challenge for therapeutic use. By employing more efficient mechanisms, such as modifying the MLT sequence, genetic engineering, and nano-delivery systems, it is anticipated that the limitations posed by MLT can be overcome, thereby enabling its wider application in therapeutic contexts. This review has outlined recent advancements in MLT's nano-delivery systems and genetically engineered cells expressing MLT and provided an overview of where the MLTMLT's platforms are and where they will go in the future with the challenges ahead. The focus is on exploring how these approaches can overcome the limitations associated with MLT's hemolytic activity and improve its selectivity and efficacy in targeting cancer cells. These advancements hold promise for the creation of innovative and enhanced therapeutic approaches based on MLT for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Jafari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Sadeghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mirzarazi Dehaghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashkan Bigham
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy (IPCB-CNR), Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Shokouh Honarmand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Tavasoli
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rajender S Varma
- Department of Chemistry, Centre of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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