Delivery of melittin-loaded niosomes for breast cancer treatment: an in vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-cancer effect

Abstract Background Melittin, a peptide component of honey bee venom, is an appealing candidate for cancer therapy. In the current study, melittin, melittin-loaded niosome, and empty niosome had been optimized anticancer effect assessed in vitro on 4T1 SKBR3 breast cell lines vivo BALB/C inbred mice. "Thin-layer hydration method" was used preparing niosomes; different niosomal formulations melittin were prepared characterized terms morphology, size, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, stability. A formulated loaded with as promising drug carrier system chemotherapy cells. Hemolysis, apoptosis, cytotoxicity, invasion migration selected concentrations evaluated cells using hemolytic activity assay, flow cytometry, MTT soft agar colony wound healing assay. Real-time PCR to determine gene expression. 40 BALB/c mice used; then, histopathology, P53 immunohistochemical assay estimate renal liver enzyme all groups done. Results This study showed excellent substitute treatment due enhanced targeting, PDI, rate shows high lines. The affects genes expression by studied higher than other samples; down-regulates Bcl2 , MMP2 MMP9 while they up-regulate Bax Caspase3 Caspase9 genes. They have also apoptosis inhibited migration, both compared samples. histopathology reduce mitosis pleomorphism niosome. Renal hepatic biomarker did not significantly differ healthy control. immunohistochemistry, show significant change groups. Conclusions Our successfully declares that more anti-cancer effects free melittin. project has demonstrated niosomes are suitable vesicle carriers compare form.