Induction of Apoptotic genes eXpression with a low dosage of Macrovipera lebetina venom in PC-۳ prostate cancer cell line

Background Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, after lung cancer. Proper and timely diagnosis of this cancer is important for prognosis. Thus far, the drugs used to treat cancer have countless toxic effects and have reduced the therapeutic index. Snake venom is a complex combination of proteins and peptides that is known to cure many diseases.Methods: In this study, the effect of Vipera lebetina venom on apoptosis at concentrations of ۱۰–۱۰۰ mg/ml for ۲۴–۴۸ h was evaluated using the MTT assay (IC۵۰=۳۱.۷۹ μg/ml). Annexin V/PI staining was used to determine the type of cell death and Real time-PCR was used to evaluate the expression pattern of bcl۲, bax, bak, and TNF-α genes as a control.The results showed a significant effect of snake venom on the elimination of cancer cells without damaging non-cancerous and healthy cells. In addition, flow cytometry results showed that by increasing the dose of snake venom, all cancer cells were necrotic, and by increasing the dose of snake venom to ۳۰ μg/ml, the cells died (necrosis). Treatment with high doses of snake venom increases necrosis, apoptosis, and delays apoptosis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Prostate Cancer ، PC-۳ Cell Line ، Snake venom ، Apoptosis