Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

In vivo anti-tumor effect of Egyptian scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus venom in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice

Wesam M Salama¹ , Sabry A El-Naggar¹, Barakat M ALRashdi²

¹Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt; ²Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.

For correspondence:- Wesam Salama Email: wesam.salama2010@gmail.com

Accepted: 27 July 2023 Published: 31 August 2023

Citation: Salama WM, El-Naggar SA, ALRashdi BM. In vivo anti-tumor effect of Egyptian scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus venom in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(8):1635-1643 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i8.15

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the anti-tumor efficacy of scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus venom (LQV) in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) mouse model.

Methods: Mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 8), with Group 1 as negative control. Groups 2 to 4 mice were inoculated with EAC cells (1 x 10⁶/mouse) intraperitoneally (ip). Group 2 mice were untreated while groups 3 and 4 mice were injected with 2 mg/kg of cisplatin (Cis) and 0.025 mg/kg of LQV ip, respectively, for 7 days. Tumor profile, as well as hematological and biochemical analyses were carried out.

Results: Tumor volume and tumor cell counts decreased significantly (p < 0.05) following LQV treatment. Also, LQV potentiated necrosis, apoptosis and arrested tumor cells in the G0 and S-phases. Furthermore, it upregulated apoptotic-related gene (Bax and caspase-3) expressions and down-regulated anti-apoptotic gene (bcl-2) expression in EAC cells (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: LQV has potential anti-tumor activity against EAC cells in mouse models. Therefore, it should be further investigated in vivo as an anti-tumor agent.

Keywords: Anti-tumor, Leiurus quinquestriatus venom, Ehrlich ascites tumor, Apoptosis, Cell cycle, Gene expression