RESUMEN
AIM: To explore the effects and mechanism of cobra venom serum on the proliferation in HL60 cells. METHODS: Established the HL60 cells as a target to study the growth feature by the action of cobra venom serum. The agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis were used to demonstrate apoptosis. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the cells were inhibited significantly by the action of cobra venom serum. A characteristic DNA "ladder" was detected by using agarose gel electrophoresis. By flow cytometry analysis, it was proved that most apoptosis of HL60 cells occurred when cultured with cobra venom serum. CONCLUSION: Cobra venom serum inhibited the HL60 cells in vitro, which was related to apoptosis. This may introduce a new way to the treatment of leukemia.