Cancer cannot be identified in the initial stages and by the time it is detected, it has spread so much that it becomes difficult to control it.

A fatal disease like cancer is taking the lives of millions of people every year. This disease is not identified in the initial stage and by the time it is detected, the spread of cancer has increased so much that it becomes difficult to control it. However, various research and studies are being done all over the world to control cancer. Recently, an important research has revealed that bee venom can destroy cancer cells.

This research was done 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

Dr. Ciara Duffy, the lead researcher of this study, 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-rich, and triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Melittin is a small but potent peptide that 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 of cancer cells, which are necessary for the growth and division of cancer cells. This effect was seen in just 20 minutes, while within an hour melittin completely destroyed the membrane of cancer cells.

Combination of Melittin and Chemotherapy

Researchers also found that Melittin can be used with small molecules or chemotherapy, such as Docetaxel, which is more effective in destroying aggressive types of cancer cells such as triple-negative breast cancer. The combination of Melittin and Docetaxel showed a significant reduction in cancer tumor growth in mice. These results are extremely encouraging and can open a new direction for cancer treatment.

Melittin: A unique compound

Melittin not only can destroy cancer cells, but it also has powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. It works by disrupting cell membranes, making it useful in scientific research, especially for cancer treatment. However, it should only be used under medical supervision, as it can also trigger reactions in the body, such as pain, swelling and allergies.

This study has raised new hopes in the field of cancer treatment. The ability found in bee venom to destroy cancer cells can prove to be an important step for cancer treatment in the future. However, more research is still needed for its widespread use to ensure that its use is safe and effective.