Anti-proliferative Effects of Androctonus amoreuxi Scorpion and Cerastes cerastes Snake Venoms on Human Prostate Cancer Cells.
10.15430/JCP.2017.22.1.40
- Author:
Hassan AKEF
1
;
Nahla KOTB
;
Dina ABO-ELMATTY
;
Sayed SALEM
Author Information
1. National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals (NORCB), Giza, Egypt. hassan_akef@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Venoms;
Apoptosis;
Bcl-2 family proteins;
Bax/Bcl-2 ratio;
Oxidative stress
- MeSH:
Apoptosis;
Catalase;
Cell Survival;
Gene Expression;
Genes, bcl-2;
Glutathione Peroxidase;
Glutathione Reductase;
Hand;
Humans*;
Malondialdehyde;
Oxidative Stress;
Prostate*;
Prostatic Neoplasms*;
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Scorpion Venoms;
Scorpions*;
Snake Venoms*;
Snakes*;
Superoxide Dismutase;
Venoms;
Viper Venoms;
Viperidae*
- From:Journal of Cancer Prevention
2017;22(1):40-46
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The present study evaluated the effects of Androctonus amoreuxi scorpion venom, Cerastes cerastes snake venom and their mixture on prostate cancer cells (PC3). An MTT assay was used to determine the anti-proliferative effect of the venoms, while quantitative real time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-2). Furthermore, colorimetric assays were used to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes. Our results show that the venoms significantly reduced PC3 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, these venoms significantly decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. Additionally, C. cerastes venom significantly reduced Bax gene expression, while A. amoreuxi venom and a mixture of A. amoreuxi & C. cerastes venoms did not alter Bax expression. Consequently, these venoms significantly increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the oxidative stress biomarker MDA. Furthermore, these venoms also increased the activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Overall, the venoms have cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on PC3 cells.
