Abdu et al., JOBASFUD_2024_3_1_009
Keywords: Northern Nigerian Echis ocellatus venom, PBMC, HepG2, immunomodulatory, cancer, Apoptosis, Hepatocellular carcinoma
2025-05-24 DOI: JOBASFUD_2024_3_2_009
Background: "Toxin arsenal" is a term mimicking a handful of harmful substances consisting of bioactive molecules with potentials of therapeutic activity. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, lacks effective treatments. This study investigates the cytotoxic effect of Echis ocellatus venom on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) and Hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) exploring its immunotherapy and anticancer properties. Objectives: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of Northern Nigerian Echis ocellatus venom on HepG2 and PBMCs cell lines. Method: The (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was employed to estimate cell viability and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) respectively. The venom was screened using HepG2 and PBMC cell lines. Result: Viability was assessed following exposure to a series of concentrations ranging from 0 to 500µg/mL for HepG2 and 0 to 200µg/mL for PBMC showing greater cytotoxicity toward carcinoma cells; with IC50 values for HepG2 (14.54 µg/mL) and PBMC (25.70 µg/mL). This suggests the Echis ocellatus venom selectively targets cancer cells with reduced effects on healthy immune cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Nigeria Northern Echis ocellatus venom exhibits increased cytotoxic effect on HepG2 compared to PBMC cell lines. The study concludes that the venom shows potential as an anticancer agent against HCC and exhibits immunomodulatory properties. The findings suggest cancer-specific mechanisms like apoptosis, positioning the Echis ocellatus venom as a promising candidate for drug development.