article · Archives of Razi Institute
Colitis-associated colorectal cancer arises from chronic inflammation in the colon and remains challenging to treat. Researchers tested the therapeutic effects of venom from Algerian honeybees, Apis mellifera intermissa, in a mouse model of the disease induced by azoxymethane and a high-fat diet. Mice receiving azoxymethane showed marked weight loss, altered blood profiles, elevated systemic inflammation markers, and severe colon tissue damage, including mucosal inflammation and necrotic epithelial lesions. Daily intraperitoneal treatment with bee venom over two weeks significantly mitigated these harmful effects. Venom administration helped restore red and white blood cell levels, reduced systemic inflammation markers like C-reactive protein, and preserved colon structure. Histopathological evaluation confirmed improved epithelial integrity with reduced necrosis and cellular atypia, suggesting the venom counteracts cancer progression linked to chronic inflammation.
Colitis-associated colorectal cancer develops from prolonged inflammation, making it difficult to prevent and treat. By demonstrating that native honeybee venom can alleviate severe intestinal inflammation and preserve tissue integrity in animal models, this research highlights a natural source of bioactive compounds that could guide the development of complementary treatments for chronic inflammatory gut disorders and associated cancers.
The findings could eventually inform the development of adjunct therapeutics for treating colitis-associated colorectal cancer, potentially benefiting biopharmaceutical developers and oncologists. However, because this work is early-stage preclinical research conducted solely in a small mouse model, it remains far from real-world clinical or commercial use, requiring extensive molecular mechanism studies and human trials before any product can emerge.
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Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a serious condition driven by chronic inflammation in the colon, representing a significant challenge in both preventative and therapeutic contexts. Apis mellifera intermissa venom has shown promising therapeutic potential in various disease models, particularly those involving inflammation and tumorigenesis. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of venom derived from honeybees native to Algeria on the progression of CAC in azoxymethane (AOM)-treated mice. A total of 28 male mice were randomly allocated into four groups (n=7 per group): a control group received a tap drinking water, an AOM group (10 mg AOM /kg body weight), a bee venom group (0.76 mg/kg body weight), and a combined bee venom + AOM group. CAC was induced in mice by a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p) of AOM, and a high-fat diet (45% fat by diet weight) for two weeks. The potential therapeutic effect was evaluated by administering bee venom intraperitoneally on a daily basis for two weeks. AOM significantly reduced body weight, food and water intake while increasing colon weight. Hematological analysis revealed significant reductions in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT), coupled with increased white blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels further confirmed systemic inflammation. Macroscopic examination and histopathological analyses of the colon revealed extensive pathological changes in the AOM group, including severe mucosal inflammation, necrotic epithelial damage, and substantial immune cell infiltration. Noteworthy, co-treatment with bee venom effectively mitigated these pathological alterations. Bee venom significantly restored hematological profiles by improving RBC count, HGB, and HCT levels while reducing the elevated WBC count, MCV, and MCH values. CRP levels were significantly reduced, reflecting the anti-inflammatory effects of the venom. Also, macroscopic evaluations demonstrated the preservation of colon morphology, while histopathological assessments revealed an improved epithelial integrity with fewer signs of necrosis and cellular atypia. These findings suggest that Apis mellifera intermissa venom holds potential as an adjunct therapeutic agent for suppressing CAC progression, warranting further investigation into its underlying mechanisms and clinical applicability.
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DOI: 10.66224/ari.2025.80.3.711
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