Anti-cancer Activity of Fractions Derived from Venom of Iranian Cobra Snake (Najanajaoxiana) on Breast Cancer Cell Line 4T1

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Many biotoxins like snake venom as a source of useful biologically active compounds are potential anti-cancer agents. Venom is a complex mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The purpose of this study was investigation of anticancer activity of the fractions obtained from the venom of Iranian cobra,Naja naja oxiana, by gelfiltration and anion exchange chromatography on breast cancer cell line.
Breast cancer cell line (4T1) was cultured in RPMI with 10% fetal bovine serum. Iranian cobra venom purified by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The concentrations of these fractions were determined by BCA method and their molecular weight measured by SDS-PAGE. Cytotoxicity of the fractions on cancer and normal cell lines was evaluated with MTT assay.
Based on the results obtained from gel filtration chromatography, 6 fractions were separated. Fraction F3 had a protein with molecular weight of 50 kDa that is equivalent to the molecular weight of disinterring. Therefore, fraction F3 selected for further purification by anion exchange chromatography. Four fractions were isolated by anion exchange chromatography. Fraction F2 had anticancer activity by MTT and Anti-adhesion assays and determined as active anti-cancer fraction. Molecular weight of fraction F2 was 47 kDa. The results of MTT assay showed 45 and 8 percent cytotoxicity on 4T1 and normal cell lines(HEK293) respectively.
The active fraction of Iranian Cobra venom had cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells with very low toxicity on normal cells. According to results, this fraction had anti-adhesion and cytotoxic activity can be a good candidate for more purification and characterization.