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Hassan H, Mirza MR, Jabeen A, Alam M, Kori JA, Sultan R, Rahman SU, Choudhary MI. Yellow scorpion (Buthus sinidicus) venom peptides induce mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in cervical, prostate and brain tumor cell lines. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296636. [PMID: 38394321 PMCID: PMC10890731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are known to contain over 100,000 biologically active constituents. However, only a few of them have been studied. The major constituents of venom are proteins and peptides, which exhibit various biological and pharmacological properties, including anticancer activities. In the current study, the venom of yellow scorpions (Buthus sindicus) found in Sindh, Pakistan, was extracted and evaluated for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The crude venom showed a dose dependent inhibition of phagocyte oxidative burst from human whole blood cells (28.3% inhibition at highest tested concentration of 300 μg/mL). In-vitro cytotoxicity of crude venom was evaluated against human prostrate (PC3), cervical (HeLa) and neuroblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines, along with cytotoxicity against normal human fibroblast (BJ) cells. Crude venom was cytotoxic to all cell lines, with prominent inhibitory effect on PC3 cells. Crude venom was fractionated through RP-UPLC, resulted in fifteen fractions, followed by evaluation of their anticancer potential. Among all, the fraction I significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the cell viability of all three cancer cell lines, and exhibited insignificant cytotoxicity against normal cell line. Furthermore, the apoptotic cell death pathway was evaluated for crude venom, and fraction I, in most sensitive cell line PC3, by using flow-cytometry analysis. Both crude venom and its fraction I caused a mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (PC3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of venom of Pakistani yellow scorpions. Results indicate their therapeutic potential, and a case for further purification and validation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Hassan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Munazza Raza Mirza
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Almas Jabeen
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mehtab Alam
- Dr. Zafar H. Zaidi, Center for Proteomics, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Ahmed Kori
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Sultan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Ur Rahman
- Oral Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - M Iqbal Choudhary
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Al-Rabia MW, Alhakamy NA, Rizg WY, Alghaith AF, Ahmed OAA, Fahmy UA. Boosting curcumin activity against human prostatic cancer PC3 cells by utilizing scorpion venom conjugated phytosomes as promising functionalized nanovesicles. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:807-820. [PMID: 35266425 PMCID: PMC8920388 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2048133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is emerging as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Curcumin (CUR) is a well-known phytochemical, and scorpion venom (SV) is a natural peptide with proven anticancer properties. However, these natural bioactive agents are limited by low solubility, low bioavailability, poor thermal stability, and short half-lives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to fabricate SV-conjugated CUR phytosomes as promising functionalized nanovesicles and assess their anticancer efficacy in human prostatic cancer PC3 cells. CUR-Phytosome-SV was fabricated using experimental design software in which the zeta potential and particle sizes were used as dependent variables. The anticancer effect of the fabricated formulation was determined by performing a tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell cycle analysis, annexin V staining, and examining the expression levels of Bcl-associated X-protein (Bax), p53, caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kB), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The particle size of the nanoconjugates was found to be in the range of 137.5 ± 7.9 to 298.4 ± 11.9 nm, and the zeta potential was 2.9 ± 0.1 to 26.9 ± 1.2 mV. The outcome of the MTT assay showed that curcumin–Phospholipon®–scorpion venom (CUR–PL–SV) exhibited a satisfactory level of cytotoxicity, and the IC50 was found to be lower than CUR and PL-SV individually. Cell cycle analysis showed predominantly cell cycle arrest at the G2-M and pre-G1 phases. In contrast, annexin V staining showed significant early and late apoptosis events in addition to increased necrosis when PC3 cells were treated with CUR–PL–SV. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed a reduction in expression of Bax, p53, caspase-3, NF-kB, TNF-α, and an increase in Bcl-2 expression. Moreover, a MMP analysis showed a reduction in mitochondrial permeability and hence confirmed the superior anticancer potential of CUR–PL–SV. Thus, the present study showed significant anticancer potency of SV-conjugated CUR phytosomes against human prostatic cancer PC3 cells, making it a novel treatment approach for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed W Al-Rabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil A Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Y Rizg
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel F Alghaith
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A A Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Usama A Fahmy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Salehi-Najafabadi Z, Goudarzi HR, Sajadi M. Evaluation of in vivo Lethality and in vitro Cytotoxic Effect of Odontobuthus bidentatus Scorpion Venom. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2022; 77:29-36. [PMID: 35891741 PMCID: PMC9288595 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2021.353302.1595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The results of numerous studies have revealed that some deadly scorpion venoms are composed of various bioactive molecules that have significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. In this study, the in vivo lethality and cytotoxic effect of Odontobuthus bidentatus venom were evaluated in different cancer cell lines. Through MTT assay, the cytotoxic effects of O. bidentatus scorpion venom were analyzed on the MCF-7, A549, AGS, HepG2, and Ht-29 cancer cell lines and Hu02 normal cells. To this end, six venom fractions were obtained through a Sephadex G-50 column, and the cytotoxic effects of isolated fractions were evaluated on A549 lung cancer cells. The median lethal dose of O. bidentatus scorpion venom was determined at 0.73 mg/kg by intravenous administration of different venom doses in male BALB/c mice according to the Spearman-Karber method. The O. bidentatus scorpion whole venom had a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7, A549, and AGS cells. The treatment of A549 cells with various concentrations of fraction F1 showed that this fraction significantly induced growth inhibitory effect on the cells in a dose-dependent manner, compared to untreated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Salehi-Najafabadi
- Department of Human Bacterial Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - H R Goudarzi
- Department of Human Bacterial Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - M Sajadi
- Department of Biology, Tofigh Daru Research and Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
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In vitro anticancer activity of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide alongside nickel nanoparticle and novel mutations in their genes in CRC patients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2536. [PMID: 33510426 PMCID: PMC7843626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82244-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the impact of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) as well as scorpion venom on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in the presence and/or absence of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and nitric oxide (NO) donors and to determine alterations in endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) enzyme-producing genes in CRC patients. The IC50 of both H2S and NO donors, along with NiNPs, were determined. The CRC cells were treated for 24hrs, and the cytotoxic activities were assessed using the MTT test. Moreover, the apoptosis was determined after 24hrs and 48hrs using TUNEL assay. Furthermore, the mutations in the eNOS gene (intron 4, -786T>C and 894 G>T) and CSE gene (1364GT) were determined using direct sequencing. The IC50 values for sodium disulfide (Na2S) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at 24hrs treatment were found to be 5 mM and 10−6 M, respectively, while the IC50 value for 5-FU was reached after 5-days of treatment in CRC cell line. Both black and yellow scorpion venoms showed no inhibition of cell proliferation after 24hrs treatment. Furthermore, Na2S showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation and an increase in apoptosis. Moreover, a co-treatment of SNP and 5-FU resulted in inhibition of the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU, while a combination treatment of NiNPs with Na2S, SNP, and 5-FU caused highly significant cytotoxicity. Direct sequencing reveals new mutations, mainly intronic variation in eNOS gene that has not previously been described in the database. These findings indicate that H2S promotes the anticancer efficiency of 5-FU in the presence of NiNPs while NO has antiapoptotic activity in CRC cell lines.
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Mikaelian AG, Traboulay E, Zhang XM, Yeritsyan E, Pedersen PL, Ko YH, Matalka KZ. Pleiotropic Anticancer Properties of Scorpion Venom Peptides: Rhopalurus princeps Venom as an Anticancer Agent. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:881-893. [PMID: 32161447 PMCID: PMC7051175 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s231008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To date, the success of conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted biological therapies in cancer treatment is not satisfactory. The main reasons for such outcomes rely on low target selectivity, primarily in chemo- and radiotherapy, ineffectiveness to metastatic disease, drug resistance, and severe side effects. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors may offer better clinical promise, success is still limited. Since cancer is a complex systemic disease, the need for new therapeutic modalities that can target or block several steps of cancer cell characteristics, modulate or repolarize immune cells, and are less toxic to healthy tissues is essential. Of these promising therapeutic modalities are pleiotropic natural products in which scorpion venom (SV) is an excellent example. SV consists of complex bioactive peptides that are disulfide-rich of different peptides’ length, potent, stable, and exerts various multi-pharmacological actions. SV peptides also contain ion channel inhibitors. These ion channels are dysregulated and overexpressed in cancer cells, and play essential roles in cancer development and invasion, as well as depolarizing immune cells. Furthermore, SV has been found to induce cancer cell apoptosis, and inhibit cancer cells proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In the current review, we are presenting data that show the pleiotropic effect of SV against different types of human cancer as well as revealing one potential anticancer agent, Rhopalurus princeps venom. Furthermore, we are addressing what is needed to be done to translate these potential cancer therapeutics to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Peter L Pedersen
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine Laboratory, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Young Hee Ko
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine Laboratory, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Al-Asmari AK, Riyasdeen A, Islam M. Scorpion Venom Causes Apoptosis by Increasing Reactive Oxygen Species and Cell Cycle Arrest in MDA-MB-231 and HCT-8 Cancer Cell Lines. J Evid Based Integr Med 2019; 23:2156587217751796. [PMID: 29405760 PMCID: PMC5881405 DOI: 10.1177/2156587217751796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of scorpion venoms on cancer cell progression, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. Scorpion venoms are known to possess numerous bioactive compounds that act against cancer progression by inducing apoptosis. In this study, we have taken the venoms from the following 2 species of scorpion—Androctonus crassicauda and Leiurus quinquestriatus—and tested the anticancer properties of the venom against breast and colorectal cancer cell lines. Methods. Milking of scorpion venom and culturing the breast and colorectal cancer cell lines were done according to the standard procedure. The venom cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT methods, and the cellular and nuclear changes were studied with phase contrast and propidium iodide staining, respectively. The cell cycle arrest and accumulation of reactive oxygen species were analyzed on a Muse cell analyzer. Results. The venoms exerted cytotoxic effects on breast and colorectal cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Enhanced apoptotic cells, increase in reactive oxygen species, and cell cycle arrest were observed after challenging these cell lines with scorpion venoms. Conclusions. Scorpion venom induces apoptosis in breast and colorectal cell lines as reflected by the changes in the cell morphology and cell cycle studies. Furthermore, a high percentage of total reactive oxygen species as well as apoptotic cells also contribute to cell death as observed after venom treatments. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first scientific evidence demonstrating the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by these species of scorpion venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mozaffarul Islam
- 1 Research Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Total glucosides of paeony inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation, migration and invasion in androgen insensitive prostate cancer cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182584. [PMID: 28783760 PMCID: PMC5544245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that inflammatory microenvironment promoted prostate cancer progression. This study investigated whether total glucosides of paeony (TGP), the active constituents extracted from the root of Paeonia Lactiflora Pall, suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated proliferation, migration and invasion in androgen insensitive prostate cancer cells. PC-3 cells were incubated with LPS (2.0 μg/mL) in the absence or presence of TGP (312.5 μg /mL). As expected, cells at S phase and nuclear CyclinD1, the markers of cell proliferation, were increased in LPS-stimulated PC-3 cells. Migration activity, as determined by wound-healing assay and transwell migration assay, and invasion activity, as determined by transwell invasion assay, were elevated in LPS-stimulated PC-3 cells. Interestingly, TGP suppressed LPS-stimulated PC-3 cells proliferation. Moreover, TGP inhibited LPS-stimulated migration and invasion of PC-3 cells. Additional experiment showed that TGP inhibited activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p38 in LPS-stimulated PC-3 cells. Correspondingly, TGP attenuated upregulation of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in LPS-stimulated PC-3 cells. In addition, TGP inhibited nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in LPS-stimulated PC-3 cells. These results suggest that TGP inhibits inflammation-associated STAT3 activation and proliferation, migration and invasion in androgen insensitive prostate cancer cells.
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