Scorpion (Androctonus bicolor) venom exhibits cytotoxicity and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast and colorectal cancer cell lines

Abstract

Objectives:The defective apoptosis is believed to play a major role in the survival and proliferation of neoplastic cells. Hence, the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells is one of the targets for cancer treatment. Researchers are considering scorpion venom as a potent natural source for cancer treatment because it contains many bioactive compounds. The main objective of the current study is to evaluate the anticancer property of Androctonus bicolor scorpion venom on cancer cells.Materials and Methods:Scorpions were milked by electrical stimulation of telsons and lyophilized. The breast (MDA-MB-231) and colorectal (HCT-8) cancer cells were maintained in appropriate condition. The venom cytotoxicity was assessed by 3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, and the cellular and nuclear changes were studied with propidium iodide and 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole stain, respectively. The cell cycle arrest was examined using muse cell analyzer.Results:The A. bicolor venom exerted cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB-231 and HCT-8 cells in a dose- and duration-dependent manner and induced apoptotic cell death. The treatment with this venom arrests the cancer cells in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle.Conclusions:The venom selectively induces the rate of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and HCT-8 cells as reflected by morphological and cell cycle studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scientific evidence demonstrating the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by A. bicolor scorpion venom.

Scorpion Venom Causes Apoptosis by Increasing Reactive Oxygen Species and Cell Cycle Arrest in MDA-MB-231 and HCT-8 Cancer Cell Lines

“…Collection of the scorpions and milking of their venoms was achieved as described by Al-Asmari et al 19 Prior to beginning the animal work, approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of Prince Sultan Military Medical City. The Research Ethics Committee supervises the animal care units in Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.…”

“…The cytotoxic property of venoms were assessed by MMT (3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay as reported earlier from our laboratory. 19…”

“…18 The present study is the extension of our previous published work where we used the venom from Androctonus bicolor and determined the cytotoxic effect of the venom on breast and colorectal cancer cell lines. 19…”

“…18 The present study is the extension of our previous published work where we used the venom from Androctonus bicolor and determined the cytotoxic effect of the venom on breast and colorectal cancer cell lines. 19 In this study, we have used the venoms obtained from species of Androctonus crassicauda (designated as venom 1) and Leiurus quinquestriatus (designated as venom 2). We have demonstrated the dose-dependent cytotoxic property of both the venoms against breast and colorectal cancer cell lines.…”

Total glucosides of paeony inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation, migration and invasion in androgen insensitive prostate cancer cells

“…The effect of TGP on cell cycle was performed as described previously by MUSE ® Cell Analyzer (Merck Millipore, Germany) [ 17 ]. Briefly, 3.0 × 10 5 cells were cultured in 6-well plates until 80% confluent.…”