Evaluation of the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic potential of the melittin in human cells culture

• Grant number: 13/00351-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: May 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Mutagenesis
• Principal Investigator: Maria Aparecida Marin Morales
• Grantee: Michele Perisatto Berreta
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Currently, it is believed that natural products possess health benefits when compared to synthetic chemicals. One example is the bee venom which has always been widely used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of arthritis and general pain. Recently, bee venom has been used in the cosmetic industry as a potential wrinkle reducer. Melittin, the main constituent of bee venom, is the most important active principle of this product. The melittin increases blood flow and consequently the production of collagen and elastin, removing dead cells and reducing wrinkles. Today, it is known that it also acts on healthy cells, causing cell disruption since that binds to the plasma membrane, forming hydrophilic pores or increasing the permeability of this structure. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential of melittin in human fibroblast cells (HFF-1). For this, will be carry out the MTT assay and micronucleus test with cytokinesis block, as well the comet assay and oxidative stress tests. The results will allow us to estimate the possible effects of this component of bee venom in human cells, and provide us a greater insight into its mechanism of action in the human genetic material. (AU)