Bee Venom-Loaded Niosomes for Breast Cancer: In Silico Target Prediction, Formulation, Characterization and In Vitro Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 Cells

Bee venom has anticancer activity that is largely attributed to melittin, but its non-selective membrane toxicity limits clinical use. This study combined computational target prediction with the formulation and cell-based testing of bee venom-loaded niosomes. Network pharmacology of melittin was done with SuperPred and GeneCards, followed by protein–protein interaction analysis, selection of ten hub targets and HDOCK docking, and ADMET properties were predicted with pkCSM. Niosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration with Span 60, Tween 60 and cholesterol, and were evaluated by FTIR, UV spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, TEM and dialysis-based release. Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells was measured by the MTT assay. Docking gave the most favourable scores for MAPK1 (−233.01) and PIK3R1 (−232.85). ADMET prediction indicated poor intestinal absorption and possible hepatotoxicity. FTIR showed no evident incompatibility between venom and excipients. The optimised vesicles measured 208.7 nm, with a zeta potential of −21.51 mV and an entrapment efficiency of 84.73%, and TEM showed rounded to oval vesicles. In the first 6 h, 28.17% of the venom was released from the niosomes against 71.32% for pure venom. The formulation reduced MCF-7 viability in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 150.35 µg/mL at 48 h. These findings support bee venom-loaded niosomes as a candidate nanocarrier for breast cancer therapy and justify in vivo evaluation.