Iranian Scorpion (Odontobuthus bidentatus) crude venom change the redox potential of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and induce apoptosis

New natural substances obtained from scorpion venoms could be promising approaches for the treatment of cancers. Scorpion venom is a fully mixed compound that containing enzymes, non-enzymes, ions, and other organic compounds that induces apoptosis and necrosis in mammalian cells. In this study, the cytotoxicity effects, redox potential, and the ability of apoptosis induction of Odontobuthus bidentatus scorpion venom on MCF-7 cells were investigated. To do this, the MCF-7 cells were treated with the scorpion venom. MTT and neutral red assays was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity. Catalase, GSH and NO assays are used to determine the cells redox potential. Caspase-3 and cytochrome c release assays were exploited to investigate the apoptosis. The results of MTT and neutral red tests showed that O. bidentatus crude venom has cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the results of catalase, GSH and NO assays showed that the crude venom could change the redox potential of MCF-7 cells, dose dependently which eventually lead to apoptosis. Also, the results of caspase-3 and the release of cytochrome c confirmed cell apoptosis. These results suggest that O. bidentatus venom is a suitable source of apoptosis-inducing compounds.