Anti-proliferative Effects ofAndroctonus amoreuxiScorpion andCerastes cerastesSnake Venoms on Human Prostate Cancer Cells

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.

Antimicrobial Activity of Hemolymph and Venom Obtained from Some Scorpion Species

“…Al Asmari and Khan [15] studied the antitumor effect of the venom of Leiurus quinquestriatus on the chemical effect of skin cancer in mice and obtained positive results. Akef et al [16] found that Androctonus amoreuxi scorpion venom has cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against prostate cancer. Besides the anticancer effect studies of scorpion venom, antimicrobial effect researches have been carried out successfully.…”

Scorpion Venom-Functionalized Quercetin Phytosomes for Breast Cancer Management: In Vitro Response Surface Optimization and Anticancer Activity against MCF-7 Cells

“…Such enhanced activity of drug-loaded phytosomes compared with the pure drug have previously been reported with QRT, and could be due to improved intracellular bioavailability [ 47 ]. In addition, the incorporation of SV into the novel formulation has also contributed to the improved cytotoxicity of QRT [ 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

Scorpion venoms and associated toxins as anticancer agents: update on their application and mechanism of action

“…Al‐Asmari, Islam, and Al‐Zahrani (2016) demonstrated anticancer activity of Androctonus crassicauda against the HCT‐8 cell line (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), which showed 98% cell death after 24 h at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Akef, Kotb, Abo‐Elmatty, and Salem (2017) reported anticancer characteristics of Androctonus amoreuxi against the PC‐3 cell line (human prostate adenocarcinoma), exhibiting 93% cancer cells death within 24 h at a concentration of 5.58 μg/mL. A. amoreuxi , at a concentration of 0.61 μg/mL showed anticancer activity against the MCF‐7 cell line (human breast adenocarcinoma) with 83.7% cancer cells death within 24 h (Salem, Shoukry, Teleb, Abdel‐Daim, & Abdel‐Rahman, 2016).…”