A deadly disease like cancer is killing millions of people every year. This disease is not detected in the early stages and by the time it is detected, the spread of cancer has increased so much that it becomes difficult to control.
However, various research and studies are being conducted across the world to overcome cancer. Recently, an important research has revealed that bee venom can destroy cancer cells.
This research was conducted in 2020 by researchers from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and the University of Western Australia. According to this study, the element melittin present in bee venom can rapidly destroy triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells. This study was published in the prestigious international journal NPJ Nature Precision Oncology.
Effect of bee venom on cancer
The main researcher of this research is DrCiara Duffy said that till now no one had compared the effects of bee venom or melittin on different types of breast cancer and normal cells. In this research, we tested bee venom on normal breast cells and different subtypes of breast cancer: hormone receptor-positive, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Melittin is a small but extremely powerful peptide, which makes up about 50% of bee venom. This peptide is capable of destroying the membrane of cancer cells. Researchers found that melittin can reduce the chemical messages in cancer cells, which are necessary for the growth and division of cancer cells. This effect was seen in only 20 minutes, while within an hour melittin completely destroyed the membrane of cancer cells.
Combination of melittin and chemotherapy
Researchers also found that melittin could be used with small molecules or chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, which is more effective at destroying aggressive types of cancer cells, such as triple-negative breast cancer. The combination of melittin and docetaxel showed a significant reduction in the growth of cancer tumors in rats. These results are very encouraging and can open a new direction for cancer treatment.
Melittin: A Unique Compound
Melittin not only has the ability to destroy cancer cells, but it also has powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial properties. It works by disrupting cell membranes, which may make it useful in scientific research, particularly for cancer treatment. However, it should be used only under medical supervision, as it can trigger pain, swelling and even allergic reactions in the body.
This study has raised a new hope in the field of cancer treatment. The ability to destroy cancer cells found in bee venom can prove to be an important step for cancer treatment in the future. However, its widespread use still requires further research to ensure that its use is safe and effective.
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