Showing 3 results for Zargan
Hani Keshavarz Alikhani, Jamil Zargan, Ali Bidmeshkipour, Ehsan Zamani, Mohsen Mosavi, Ahmad Heidari, Ashkan Hajinoormohammadi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (Summer-Fall 2021)
Abstract
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.
Mina Fartousi, Jamil Zargan, Shohreh Zare Karizi, Ms Sajedeh Zargan, Ashkan Haji Noor Mohammadi, Mohsen Mousavi, Hani Keshavarz Alikhani,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (Winter-Spring 2022)
Abstract
Objectives: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. One of these toxins that inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in 2D cell culture and has significant anti-tumor effects is Dianthin-30. Therefore, in this manuscript, for the first time, the anti-cancer effect of Dianthin-30 toxin against breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in 3D culture has been studied.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the anti-cancer effects and cytotoxicity of the toxin at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10μg/ml, MTT methods were used and a Neutral red test was used to validate the results of this test. Nitric oxide, Catalase, GSH assays, cytochrome c, Caspase-3 and Comet assay tests were also used to determine the type of mortality in cancer cells.
Results: This toxin did not induce nitric oxide production, but at concentrations higher than 5μg/ml increased catalase production compared to the control. However, the level of GSH produced in all of the concentrations was significant compared to the control. In addition, Dianthin-30 increased cytochrome 30 and activation of caspase-3 in the above concentrations, but this effect was not significant compared to the control. The results of alkaline comet test also showed that the rate of induction of apoptosis by toxin was upward compared to the control.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that Dianthin-30 has anti-cancer effects and has caused death in breast cancer cells and this toxin probably induced apoptosis in cancer cells more than the non-mitochondrial pathway.
Mohsen Parsa, Jamil Zargan, Hossein Honari, Ashkan Hajinourmohammadi, Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi, Hani Keshavarz Alikhani,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (Summer-Fall 2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Infectious diseases are one of the main causes of death worldwide. This has driven scientists to invest in extraction and identification of antimicrobial agents from natural toxins and presentation of novel antibiotics and vaccines. The aim of the current study is to investigate the antibacterial and cytotoxicity effects of the protective antigen domain 4 (PAD4) from Bacillus anthracis as a strong immunogen and vaccine candidate for B. anthracis.
Matherial and Methods: In this study, the antibacterial effect of the antigen was evaluated in concentrations of 0.28-4.5μg/ml using MTT reduction and MIC assays and the anticancer effect of the recombinant PAD4 on MCF-7 cell line was examined in concentrations of 0.5-2μg/ml via MTT, neutral red uptake, and comet assays. NO, GSH and catalase determination assays following the treatment with PAD4 was also evaluated.
Results: According to the antibacterial results, PAD4 did not show any antibacterial effect against S. aureus, but very little inhibition on E. coli cells' growth was recorded. The results of MTT and neutral red assays showed that this antigen has a significant inhibiting effect on cancer cell growth. Comet assay results showed that PAD4 can cause death of breast cancer cells by apoptosis induction. NO, GSH and catalase determination assays did not show any significant fluctuations following the treatment with PAD4.
Conclusion: Our results showed that this antigen does not have any antibacterial effect but it can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, making PAD4 a candidate for producing antitumor drugs.
