Anti-proliferative Effects of Androctonus amoreuxi Scorpion and Cerastes cerastes Snake Venoms on Human Prostate Cancer Cells

The present study evaluated the effects of Androctonus amoreuxi scorpion venom, Cerastes cerastes snake 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 (Bax and Bcl-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 decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. Additionally, C. cerastes venom significantly reduced Bax gene expression, while A. amoreuxi venom and a mixture of A. amoreuxi & C. cerastes venoms did not alter Bax expression. Consequently, these venoms significantly increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio 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.

Oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor in experimental animal model of schistosoma mansoni treated with myrrh or praziquantel

Oxidative stress was considered as an adverse event that contributes to the pathology associated with schistosomiasis. Angiogenesis plays a paramount role in the development of fibrosis. Our study aimed first to study the oxidative stress and angiogenesis in mice infected with S. mansoni compared to uninfected group and second to evaluate the effect of praziquantel and myrrh on oxidative stress and angiogenesis. Liver malondialdehyde, serum nitrite and nitrate, serum vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], liver superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase were measured in thirty mice infected with S. mansoni before and after treatment with praziquantel or with Myrrh. Ten uninfected mice were used as control. Our Results revealed that malondialdehyde was significantly increased while glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased in mice infected with S. mansoni compared to uninfected control group. Serum VEGF was significantly increased by 2.5 folds in infected mice compared to uninfected group. However, Liver MDA and antioxidant enzymes were not altered in S. mansoni- infected mice treated with praziquantel or with myrrh. Only myrrh succeeds to significantly decrease serum VEGF and nitric oxide. In conclusion, our data show that oxidative stress and angiogenesis were increased in schistosomiasis and that treatment with myrrh extracts can decrease angiogenesis and the development of fibrosis