Cobra snake venom reduces significantly tissue nucleic acid levels in human breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To look into the feasibility of using cobra snake venom in suppressing breast cancer tissue through inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis.


METHODS
Samples of breast cancerous tissue, obtained from Atomic Energy Medical Center, LMCH, Jamshoro, incubated with varying concentrations of venom and without venom (as controls) were assayed for macromolecular (RNA and DNA) levels


RESULTS
No. change in the control samples while a prominent and significant fall in nucleic acid contents has been noted in venom treated tissues. Also, maximum effect was observed with 25ug/ml dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Snake venom strongly inhibited the formation of nucleic acids in the breast cancerous tissues. It may bring a fall in cell proliferation, thus there is hope that venom could be used as an anti-cancerous drug in the future.
Jokhio
Rukhsana
R
Department of Pliysilogy, University of Sindh, Jamshoro.
Ansari
Ahmed Farooq
AF
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017815:Elapidae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000187:drug effects*
D003603:Cytotoxins; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D009696:Nucleic Acids