<i>Heteroctenus junceus</i> Scorpion Venom Modulates the Concentration of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in F3II Tumor Cells

Abstract

The ability of Heteroctenus junceus scorpion venom to modulate the concentration of cytokines related to its antitumoral effect is unknown. F3II cells were treated with ¼ IC50, ½ IC50 and the IC50 of H. junceus scorpion venom. Tumor growth kinetics in F3II-bearing mice were evaluated after 24 days of oral administration of venom doses. The effect of tumor lysates on F3II cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, while cytokines present in each sample were determined by ELISA. In supernatant, H. junceus scorpion venom decreased the concentration of IL-6 (p p p p p Heteroctenus junceus scorpion venom effectively inhibits in vivo tumor progression. In the sera, a significant decrease was observed in TNF-α levels (p p p Heteroctenus junceus scorpion venom is capable of modulating other proinflammatory and protumoral cytokines involved in the inflammation associated with cancer.

Keywords

• <i>Heteroctenus junceus</i> scorpion venom
• pro-inflammatory cytokines
• F3II
• antitumoral effect