Abstract

 
 
 
 Purpose: In this study, the cytotoxicity of scorpion Leurius quinquestratus crude venom (LQCV) was evaluated in vitro in selected human cancer cell lines.
 Methods: Breast (MCF-7), hepatocellular (HepG-2), colon (CaCo-2), cervix (HeLa) and alveolar (A-549) adenocarcinoma cell lines were tested. MTT assay and median inhibition concentration (IC50), apoptotic assay, caspase 3, P53, Bcl-2 proteins and cell cycle were determined.
 Results: 24 hrs post-treatment, CaCo-2 represented the most sensitive cell line (IC50 of 4.12 μg/mL). Due to the exposure to 1/10 IC50 of LQCV, the percentage of the apoptotic cells, caspase 3, and P53 proteins were increased significantly (P<0.05) while Bcl-2 was decreased in comparison to untreated cells. Treatment with LQCV induced cell cycle arrest at G1 and G2/M phases.
 Conclusion: LQCV displays potent cytotoxicity against selected human cell lines in vitro. Thus, the material could become a potent agent for the management of some cancers.
 
 
 
Highlights
Venom toxins are secretions that are produced from invertebrate and vertebrate animals
This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of Leiurus quinquestratus crude venom (LQCV) against five different human cell lines; breast (MCF-7), hepatocellular (HepG-2), colon (CaCo-2), cervix (HeLa) and alveolar (A-549) adenocarcinoma cell lines in vitro
Cytotoxicity of LQCV was evaluated against 5 human cancer cell lines using different concentrations of LQCV
Summary
Venom toxins are secretions that are produced from invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Scorpions are predatory venomous invertebrates that belong to the phylum Arthropoda, sub phylum Chelicerata, class Arachnida order Scorpionidea [2]. Scorpions venom has different effects such as neurotoxins, enzyme inhibitor, hemolytic toxins and antibacterial activities [4]. Active compounds that are isolated from scorpion's venom, such as iberitoxin, margatoxin, and charybdotoxin were found to have antiproliferative effects against cancer cell lines [5]. Leiurus quinquestratus crude venom (LQCV) contains polypeptides that block or change the properties of ion channel gates with low molecular weight protein [6]. LQCV has numerous concentrations were prepared from the compounds that affect cancer cells, for instance, lyophilized venom. Treatment with LqIII and chlorotoxin led to slowing the inactivation of Na channels and inhibiting chlorine ion conductance expressed by glioma cells [7]
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