In-Vitro Evaluation of Anticancer and Antibacterial Properties of PseudocerastesPersicus Snake Venom Fractions

In recent years the isolation of effective molecules from snake venom as drugto treatment of some incurable diseases is considered by many biological research centers. The aim ofthis investigation was to determine electrophorotic and chromatographic patterns of Pseudocerastespersicus venom and in-vitro study of bactericidal and anti-cancer properties of its fractions in humanhepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2).

The fractions of venom were isolated and collected using preparative RP-HPLC.The Bactericidal activity of fractions in 20μg/ml of protein concentration was investigated toward Gramnegativeand Gram-positive bacteria using MTT and MIC assays. Then, the cytotoxic effects of fractionswith higher antibacterial properties were measured by MTT reduction, neutral uptake and comet assaysfollowing exposure of HepG2 cancer cells to 20 and 40 μg/ml of protein concentration.

SDS-PAGE pattern of the crude venom revealed 10 major bands with molecular weight rangingfrom 13.2 to 99.25 kDa and the separation of fractions from the venom by HPLC resulted in collectionof 11 different fractions. The results of this study showed that two fractions (4 & 8) have a significantantibacterial activity against Gram-positive as compared to Gram- negative bacteria. The study of theanti-cancer effect of these two fractions also showed that fraction 8 was more toxic in HepG2 cells.

We for the first time reported bactericidal and anti cancer effects of isolated fractions ofPersian horned viper venom. These properties make components of these fractions a favorable sourcefor isolation of molecule (s) with antibacterial and anti tumor activities.