In groundbreaking research, Australian scientists found that venom from honeybees is able to destroy aggressive breast cancer cells in a laboratory experiment. Describing the discovery as 'exciting', scientists cautioned that further studies are needed before it is used in the medical treatment of the most common cancer affecting women around the world.&nbsp;The bee venom, along with a compound in it called melittin, was used against two cancer types, which are the most difficult to treat: triple-negative and HER2-enriched.&nbsp;The combination was found potent in reducing viability of these cells “We found both honeybee venom and melittin significantly, selectively and rapidly reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells,” Ciara Duffy, a 25-year-old PhD researcher who led the study.&nbsp;The study, conducted by the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Western Australia, was published in Nature Precision Oncology, a peer-reviewed journal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/no-longer-need-cement-for-building-dirt-water-and-waste-based-material-could-be-future-of-construction-1766249070294">No longer need cement for building: Dirt, water and waste-based material could be the future of construction</a>&nbsp;<h2>Major findings of the study</h2>Dr Ciara Duffy studied the effects of venom taken from 312 honeybees and bumblebees in Western Australia, Ireland, and England on different types of breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer, which has few treatment options.&nbsp;The study found that one specific concentration of the venom was able to kill cancer cells within an hour while causing minimal damage to healthy cells. However, higher doses were found to be more toxic.&nbsp;Researchers also discovered that melittin, a compound found in honeybee venom, was effective on its own in stopping or disrupting the growth of cancer cells. Although melittin occurs naturally in honeybee venom, it can also be produced synthetically.&nbsp;“We tested a very small, positively charged peptide in honeybee venom called melittin, which we could reproduce synthetically, and found that the synthetic product explained the majority of the anti-cancer effects of honeybee venom", Dr Ciara said&nbsp;Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease and is usually treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. It accounts for about 10–15% of all breast cancer cases.&nbsp;

A team of scientists in Australia has found that honeybee venom and a compound in it called melittin are extremely effective in destroying breast cancer cells, the most common cancer affecting women worldwide.

In groundbreaking research, Australian scientists found that venom from honeybees is able to destroy aggressive breast cancer cells in a laboratory experiment. Describing the discovery as 'exciting', scientists cautioned that further studies are needed before it is used in the medical treatment of the most common cancer affecting women around the world. The bee venom, along with a compound in it called melittin, was used against two cancer types, which are the most difficult to treat: triple-negative and HER2-enriched. The combination was found potent in reducing viability of these cells “We found both honeybee venom and melittin significantly, selectively and rapidly reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells,” Ciara Duffy, a 25-year-old PhD researcher who led the study. The study, conducted by the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Western Australia, was published in Nature Precision Oncology, a peer-reviewed journal. Also Read: No longer need cement for building: Dirt, water and waste-based material could be the future of construction Major findings of the study Dr Ciara Duffy studied the effects of venom taken from 312 honeybees and bumblebees in Western Australia, Ireland, and England on different types of breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer, which has few treatment options. The study found that one specific concentration of the venom was able to kill cancer cells within an hour while causing minimal damage to healthy cells. However, higher doses were found to be more toxic. Researchers also discovered that melittin, a compound found in honeybee venom, was effective on its own in stopping or disrupting the growth of cancer cells. Although melittin occurs naturally in honeybee venom, it can also be produced synthetically. “We tested a very small, positively charged peptide in honeybee venom called melittin, which we could reproduce synthetically, and found that the synthetic product explained the majority of the anti-cancer effects of honeybee venom", Dr Ciara said Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease and is usually treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. It accounts for about 10–15% of all breast cancer cases.

A team of scientists in Australia has found that honeybee venom and a compound in it called melittin are extremely effective in destroying breast cancer cells, the most common cancer affecting women worldwide.

Australian study finds honeybee venom fights aggressive breast cancer, promising future therapies

Scientist have finally managed to find out how plants make mitraphylline - a naturally occurring compound with strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. By identifying the ingredients and process of plants making mitraphylline, it becomes easier for the researchers to develop it in a controlled environment, like a science lab and access its pharmaceutical value in treating various diseases. The research was done at UBC Okanagan and a team of University of Florida. By replicating the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance, scientists can now make the compound in lab easily.&nbsp;<h2>What is mitraphylline and how do plants make it?</h2>&nbsp;Mitraphylline is a rare plant-derived molecule which is known as spirooxindole alkaloids. They are famous of their unique twisted ring-like structure and are noteworthy for their biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. These molecule occur exist in very tiny quantity in nature and are found in trace amounts in coffee-family tropical trees namely Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw).&nbsp;Plants use two enzymes that work together to give this molecule its unique twisted ring-like shape. One of the two enzymes is responsible for the molecule' 3D arrangement while the other gives it a twist which make the molecule complete.&nbsp;"This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line," says Dr. Dang, UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. "It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process."&nbsp;<h2>How does the discovery help in research?</h2>&nbsp;Now that the scientists have identified that enzymes responsible, they can replicate the process in the lab to make the resulting effectively and sustainably in the lab. This would help save money not only in research but gives the scientists a way to produce rare and thus expensive substances at a lower price and expedite the research on its biological properties to help green drug revolution.

Scientists can now replicate the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance in the lab. Here's what it's all about…

Scientist have finally managed to find out how plants make mitraphylline - a naturally occurring compound with strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. By identifying the ingredients and process of plants making mitraphylline, it becomes easier for the researchers to develop it in a controlled environment, like a science lab and access its pharmaceutical value in treating various diseases. The research was done at UBC Okanagan and a team of University of Florida. By replicating the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance, scientists can now make the compound in lab easily. What is mitraphylline and how do plants make it? Mitraphylline is a rare plant-derived molecule which is known as spirooxindole alkaloids. They are famous of their unique twisted ring-like structure and are noteworthy for their biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. These molecule occur exist in very tiny quantity in nature and are found in trace amounts in coffee-family tropical trees namely Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw). Plants use two enzymes that work together to give this molecule its unique twisted ring-like shape. One of the two enzymes is responsible for the molecule' 3D arrangement while the other gives it a twist which make the molecule complete. "This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line," says Dr. Dang, UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. "It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process." How does the discovery help in research? Now that the scientists have identified that enzymes responsible, they can replicate the process in the lab to make the resulting effectively and sustainably in the lab. This would help save money not only in research but gives the scientists a way to produce rare and thus expensive substances at a lower price and expedite the research on its biological properties to help green drug revolution.

Scientists can now replicate the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance in the lab. Here's what it's all about…

Scientists successfully unlock secret how plants twist molecules into anti-cancer substance

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Australian study finds honeybee venom fights aggressive breast cancer, promising future therapies

Scientists unlock secret how plants twist molecules into anti-cancer substance