A novel melittin nano-liposome exerted excellent anti-hepatocellular carcinoma efficacy with better biological safety.
Melittin is the main effective component of bee venom and has extensive biological functions; however, serious side effects have restricted its clinical application. Preclinical and clinical studies showed that the main adverse events were allergic reaction and pain at the administration site. To decrease the toxicity, we prepared melittin nano-liposomes by encapsulating melittin with poloxamer 188 and explored the inhibitory activities on liver cancer together with biological safety. Here, we showed that melittin nano-liposomes significantly inhibited the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro and prominently suppressed the growth of subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC transplantation tumors in vivo. It was important that it induced less inflammation and allergy in mice compared with melittin. Overall, melittin nano-liposomes would have a better application in HCC therapy due to its significant anti-tumor activity and better biological safety.
['Mao|Jie|J|', 'Liu|Shujun|S|', 'Ai|Min|M|', 'Wang|Zhuo|Z|', 'Wang|Duowei|D|', 'Li|Xianjing|X|', 'Hu|Kaiyong|K|', 'Gao|Xinghua|X|', 'Yang|Yong|Y|']
D000818:Animals D001516:Bees D002214:Capsules D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular D064593:Heterografts D006801:Humans D006967:Hypersensitivity D007249:Inflammation D008081:Liposomes D008113:Liver Neoplasms D008555:Melitten D051379:Mice D053758:Nanoparticles D020442:Poloxamer
Melittin nano-liposomes Biological safety Bee venom Anti-tumor activity