The anti-proliferative effects and mechanisms of low molecular weight scorpion BmK venom peptides on human hepatoma and cervical carcinoma cells in vitro.

Weiling Li,Yang Chen,Cuili Zhang,Yi Xin,Jieli Yuan,Jing Bai,Xinli Li

doi:10.3892/ol.2014.2336

Abstract

Peptides from scorpion venom have been previously studied for use in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer in folk medicine. The present study investigated the anti-proliferative effects and mechanisms of the low molecular weight (~3 kDa) BmK scorpion venom peptides (LMWSVP) on human hepatoma (SMMC 7721) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The data indicated that LMWSVP inhibited the growth of SMMC 7721 cells, but had no effect on the growth of HeLa cells. SMMC 7721 cells were more sensitive, with a higher affinity, to LMWSVP as compared with HeLa cells. In addition, LMWSVP induced apoptosis of SMMC 7721 cells by upregulating the expression of caspase-3 and downregulating the expression of Bcl-2. These data provide an experimental basis for further purification and application of LMWSVP for use as an anti-tumor drug in clinical trials.

Highlights

Cancer is the predominant cause of mortality in humans, and is a serious threat to human health
The present study investigated whether the low molecular weight (~3 kDa) scorpion BmK venom peptides (LMWSVP) had anti‐tumor effects, and determined the efficiency in human hepatoma (SMMC 7721) and cervical carcinoma HeLa cells
The present study has investigated the anti‐tumor effects of LMWSVP on a human hepatoma and cervical carcinoma cell line

Summary

Introduction

Cancer is the predominant cause of mortality in humans, and is a serious threat to human health. It has been reported that due to the low molecular weight of scorpion venom peptides, powerful effects can be exerted on excitable cells [3]. The present study investigated whether the low molecular weight (~3 kDa) scorpion BmK venom peptides (LMWSVP) had anti‐tumor effects, and determined the efficiency in human hepatoma (SMMC 7721) and cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. The anti‐tumor mechanisms of LMWSVP on SMMC 7721 cells were investigated. These data provide an experimental basis for further purification and application of BmK scorpion venom as an anti‐tumor drug in clinical trials.

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Heinen TE and da Veiga AB

10. Fulda S and Debatin KM