title: Anti-proliferative Effects ofAndroctonus amoreuxiScorpion andCerastes cerastesSnake Venoms on Human Prostate Cancer Cells.
abstract: The present study evaluated the effects ofAndroctonus amoreuxiscorpion venom,Cerastes cerastessnake 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 (BaxandBcl-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 decreasedBcl-2gene expression. Additionally,C. cerastesvenom significantly reducedBaxgene expression, whileA. amoreuxivenom and a mixture ofA. amoreuxi & C. cerastesvenoms did not alterBaxexpression. Consequently, these venoms significantly increased theBax/Bcl-2ratio 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.
authors.affiliation: National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals (NORCB), Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akef
authors.affiliation: National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals (NORCB), Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nahla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kotb
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abo-Elmatty
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sayed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salem
keywords: Apoptosis; Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; Bcl-2 family proteins; Oxidative stress; Venoms