Effect of Honey Bee Venom on Cancer in Rats Model.

The present study aimed to evaluate the tumor growth inhibiting effects of bee venom in rats (in vivo) and in tumor cell cultures (in vitro). Growth inhibitory effect of bee venom (in vitro) administered in various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and100 μg mL–1) to eight different types of cancer cell lines were estimated by counting their viable cell number after 72 h of treatment. Results indicated that the growth inhibition by bee venom was dose dependent in all cell lines. The highest death cell was observed in HEPG2 (liver cancer), A549 (lung cancer) and HEP-2C (larynx cancer) cell lines treated with bee venom, while the lowest one was occurred with HCT116 cell line (colon cancer). Intraperitoneally administration of bee venom (0.28 and 0.56 mg kg–1) to rats (in vivo) significantly reduced the body weight, ascites tumor volume, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), viable tumor cell, tumor cell count number and increased Mean Survival Time (MST). Aspartate aminotransferease (AST) and alanine aminotransferease (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total proteinand albumin levels significantly (p≤0.05) decreased in ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing rats treated groups with 0.28 and 0.56 mg kg–1 of bee venom (G5, G6) and 5-fluoruracil (G4). Histopathological investigation of peritoneum, liver, kidney and lung was performed. The results indicated that the studied bee venom can be used as effective anticancer agent.