Synergistic antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Prunus armeniaca and bee venom on breast cancer cells

The combination of PA and BV significantly enhanced cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values reduced to 35.148 µg/mL in MCF-7 cells and 73.80 µg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a synergistic effect. Colony formation assays revealed an 83% reduction at the highest dose (70.3 µg/mL). Morphological assessment showed characteristic apoptotic features, including cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing. AO/EB staining confirmed apoptosis induction, with apoptotic cells increasing from 3.2% in controls to 65.3% at 70.3 µg/mL. Western blot analysis demonstrated Bax upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation, supporting apoptosis activation. Transwell invasion assays indicated a 59% reduction in cell invasion, suggesting that BV-PA effectively suppresses metastasis. BV-PA exhibits potent antiproliferative, pro- apoptotic, and anti-invasive effects in MCF-7 cells. These findings highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment, particularly TNBC. Further investigations are warranted to explore its molecular mechanisms and <i>in vivo.</i>