Selective toxicity of Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana) venom on liver cancer cell mitochondria

Objective:To explore the cytotoxicity effects of Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana or N.oxiana) venom on hepatocytes and mitochondria obtained from the liver of HCC rats.Methods:In this study,HCC was induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN),as an initiator,and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF),as a promoter.Rat liver hepatocytes and mitochondria for evaluation of the selective cytotoxic effect of N.oxiana venom were isolated and mitochondria and cellular parameters related to apoptosis signaling were then determined.Results:Our results showed a raise in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS)level,swelling in mitochondria,mitochondrial membrane potential (△ψm) collapse and release of cytochrome c after exposure of mitochondria only isolated from the HCC group with the crude venom of the N.oxiana (12.5,25,and 50 μg/mL).This crude venom also induced caspase-3 activation (P ＜ 0.001) in the hepatocytes obtained only from the HCC rat liver.Conclusions:Based on the over all results,we suggested that N.oxiana may be considered as a promising complementary therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC.

Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2C8 in A Healthy Iranian Population.

Aim: The aims of this study were to genotype CYP2C8 in an Iranian population and compare their allelic frequencies with other ethnic groups. Study Site and Duration: Biotechnology Department, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran from June 2012 through May 2013. Methodology: CYP2C8 (*1/*2/*3) allelic variants were determined in 200 unrelated healthy Iranian volunteers by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total 156 subjects (78%) were homozygous for CYP2C8*1, six subjects (3%) were homozygous for CYP2C8*2 and 38 subjects (19%) were heterozygous CYP2C8*1/*2. CYP2C8*3 was not detected. Discussion and Conclusion: Genotyping indicated no significant (P>0.05) difference between CYP2C8 allelic variant frequencies in an Iranian compared with Burkina Faso population. The Iranian population’s CYP2C8 allelic variation was significantly (P<0.05) different when compared with populations in Portugal, African-American race to Malaysia, Ghana, Zanzibar, Spain, Czech Republic and Sweden.