Abstract:

Objective: Since they contain various toxins that may influence various biological events, scorpion venoms raise new hopes for cancer treatments. It is thought that the bioactive compounds contained in scorpion venom could be used in cancer treatments in near future. Materials and Methods: In this study, different cytotoxic, apoptotic, necrotic, and anti-proliferative effects of crude venom obtained from Euscorpius mingrelicus (Kessler, 1874) scorpions species were tested on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), human lung carcinoma cells (H1299), and mice fibroblast cells (L929). Results: It was determined that the crude venom had cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on MCF-7 and fibroblast cells even when at low concentrations and the effect on H1299 was half of the effect on MCF-7 and fibroblast. It was observed that, as the dilution rate increased, the venom effect decreased, apoptosis and necrosis rates on H1299 decreased, and it had no effect on cell proliferation. With regards to the MCF-7 cells, apoptosis and necrosis rates were similar in H1299 cells. Conclusion: It was found that crude venom of E. mingrelicus scorpion played an effective role in decreasing the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and more comprehensive studies are needed in order to determine the toxin that is responsible for this effect.

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