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

Background and Objectives In recent years the isolation of effective molecules from snake venom as drug to treatment of some incurable diseases is considered by many biological research centers. The aim of this investigation was to determine electrophorotic and chromatographic patterns of Pseudocerastes persicus venom and in-vitro study of bactericidal and anti-cancer properties of its fractions in human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Subjects and Methods 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 Gramnegative and Gram-positive bacteria using MTT and MIC assays. Then, the cytotoxic effects of fractions with higher antibacterial properties were measured by MTT reduction, neutral uptake and comet assays following exposure of HepG2 cancer cells to 20 and 40 μg/ml of protein concentration. Results SDS-PAGE pattern of the crude venom revealed 10 major bands with molecular weight ranging from 13.2 to 99.25 kDa and the separation of fractions from the venom by HPLC resulted in collection of 11 different fractions. The results of this study showed that two fractions (4 & 8) have a significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive as compared to Gram- negative bacteria. The study of the anti-cancer effect of these two fractions also showed that fraction 8 was more toxic in HepG2 cells. Conclusion We for the first time reported bactericidal and anti cancer effects of isolated fractions of Persian horned viper venom. These properties make components of these fractions a favorable source for isolation of molecule (s) with antibacterial and anti tumor activities.