Administration of Apis cerana cerana melittin gene-encapsulated pectin for breast cancer therapy: an investigation of a new anti-cancer agent

One intriguing therapy option for cancer is the peptide Melittin. This study assessed the in vitro anticancer effects of Melittin, Melittin-loaded pectin, and free pectin on mammary cell lines. The “thin-layer hydration approach” produced pectins; various Melittin pectinal compositions were created and analyzed for morphology, dimensions, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, release kinetics, and stability. The breast cancer cells were evaluated with the hemolytic activity assay, flow cytometry, the MTT assay, and wound healing assessment. Real-time PCR was used to assess the transcription of the genes (P < 0.05). This study indicated that Melittin-loaded pectin is a suitable alternative for breast cancer therapy owing to enhanced targeting, encapsulation efficacy (81.43 ± 1.43), PDI (0.207 ± 0.43), release percentage, and a notable anticancer impact on cell lines. Melittin-loaded pectin significantly affects gene transcription in the cells under study compared to other samples; it down-regulates the transcription of the BCL2, MMP2, and MMP9 genes (P < 0.05) while up-regulating the expression of the Bax, P57, caspase3, and caspase9 genes. This study has shown that Melittin plasmid-loaded pectin exhibits superior anticancer activities compared to free Melittin. This research demonstrates that, unlike its free form, pectins are suitable vesicle transporters for Melittin.