Highly in vitro anti-cancer activity of melittin-loaded niosomes on non-small cell lung cancer cells

Background: Development of promising medicines from natural sources, specially venom, is of highly necessitated to combat against life -threatening cancers. Non -small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a significant percentage of mortalities. Melittin, from bee venom, is a potent anticancer peptide but its toxicity has limited its therapeutic applications. Accordingly, this study aims to synthesize niosomes with suitable stability and capacity for carrying melittin as a drug. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the anti -cancer activity of melittin-loaded niosomes on nonsmall cell lung cancer. Methods: The niosome was prepared by thin film hydration method. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis were assessed on A549, Calu-3, and MRC5 cells. Real-time PCR was used to determine expression of apoptotic and pro-apoptotic Bax, Bcl2, and Casp3 genes. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was also used to confirm expression of the abovementioned genes. Furthermore, wound healing assay was performed to compare inhibition effects of melittinloaded niosomes with free melittin on migration of cancer cells. Results: IC50 values of melittin-loaded niosomes for A549, Calu-3, and MRC5 cells were respectively 0.69 mu g/mL, 1.02 mu g/mL, and 2.56 mu g/mL after 72 h. Expression level of Bax and Casp3 increased '10 and 8' and '9 and 10.5' fold in A549 and Calu-3, whereas Bcl2 gene expression decreased 0.19 and 0.18 fold in the mentioned cell lines. The cell migration inhibited by melittin-loaded niosomes. Conclusions: Melittin-loaded niosomes had more anti -cancer effects and less toxicity on normal cells than free melittin. Furthermore, it induced apoptosis and inhibited cancer cells migration. Our results showed that melittin-loaded niosomes may be a drug lead and it has the potential to be future developed for lung cancer treatment.