Melittin based nano drug delivery system for cancer therapy

Abstract

Melittin is a 26 amino acid polypeptide with a wide range of toxicological and pharmacological effect. It constitutes 40%-60% of dry honeybee (Apis melifera) venom. It has significant antitumor characteristics surface activity on cell lipid membranes, including potent hemolytic activity. It creates pores on the targeted cell membrane. Melittin has shown variety of anticancer effects in preclinical cell culture and animal model system. MEL has tremendous antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. Practical application of melittin in oncology is hampered by its strong, nonspecific hemolytic activity and intrinsic instability. To address these shortcomings, delivery systems are used to overcome the drawbacks of melittin and facilitate its safe delivery. To accomplish stable loading, side effect shielding, and tumor-targeted delivery, many nanocarrier systems—such as liposomes, cationic        polymers, etc. have been created. To increase its toxic effect, carbon nanoparticles were used as carriers of melittin to breast cancer cells. Melittin complexed with nanographene oxide has a more harmful effect on breast cancer cells than melittin alone. Furthermore, nanodiamonds can shield cells from melittin's lytic effects. As a result of the findings, carbon nanoparticles as melittin carriers may find value in medicine in the future. PI3K/Akt and NF-kB signaling pathways are typically activated in P-gp-mediated MDR-related pathways, however melittin inhibits these processes. To overcome anticancer resistance and improve chemotherapy effectiveness, a polymersome based on a poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-hyaluronic acid (HA) di-block copolymer and encapsulating melittin and doxorubicin was created. By controlling P-gp overexpression pathways, a polymersome containing an anticancer medication and melittin might overcome.