Evaluation of in vivo Lethality and in vitro Cytotoxic Effect of Odontobuthus bidentatus Scorpion Venom

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-۷, A۵۴۹, AGS, HepG۲, and Ht-۲۹ cancer cell lines and Hu۰۲ normal cells. To this end, six venom fractions were obtained through a Sephadex G-۵۰ column, and the cytotoxic effects of isolated fractions were evaluated on A۵۴۹ lung cancer cells.  The median lethal dose of O. bidentatus scorpion venom was determined at ۰.۷۳ 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-۷, A۵۴۹, and AGS cells. The treatment of A۵۴۹ cells with various concentrations of fraction F۱ showed that this fraction significantly induced growth inhibitory effect on the cells in a dose-dependent manner, compared to untreated cells.

Keywords:

Odontobuthus bidentatus venom , cytotoxic effects , LD۵۰ , cancer cells