Anti-tumor effect investigation of obtustatin and crude Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom in S-180 sarcoma bearing mice.

Over the last few decades, research on snake venom toxins has provided not only new tools to decipher molecular details of various physiological processes, but also inspiration to design and develop a number of therapeutic agents. Isolated from the venom of Macrovipera lebetina obutusa (MLO), obtustatin represents the shortest known snake venom monomeric disintegrin specific inhibitor of α1ß1 integrin. This low molecular weight peptide revealed a potent therapeutic effect on melanoma progression. Its oncostatic effect was related to the inhibition of angiogenesis. The aim of the proposed investigation was to study the influence of obtustatin and crude MLO venom on the S-180 sarcoma growth in vitro and in vivo. A S-180 sarcoma bearing mouse model, histological examination, DNA retardation assay were utilized to investigate the anti-tumor effects of MLO and obtustatin. In addition, some biochemical tests (chemiluminescence-ChL, TBA-test) were applied to elucidate the influence of obtustatin and crude MLO venom on the S-180 sarcoma. The size of tumor was significantly inhibited by MLO venom and obtustatin with the inhibitory rate of 50% and 33% at the doses of 10 µg/mouse and 1mg/kg/day respectively. Both ChL and MDA decrease in the two treated groups. Both obtustatin and MLO venom have an anticancer activity and might be candidates for the treatment of malignant sarcoma. All our results have shown that both obtustatin and MLO venom have an anticancer activity and might be candidates for the treatment of malignant sarcoma.

Lignan from thyme possesses inhibitory effect on ASIC3 channel current.

A novel compound was identified in the acidic extract of Thymus armeniacus collected in the Lake Sevan region of Armenia. This compound, named "sevanol," to our knowledge is the first low molecular weight natural molecule that has a reversible inhibition effect on both the transient and the sustained current of human ASIC3 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Sevanol completely blocked the transient component (IC(50) 353 ± 23 µM) and partially (∼45%) inhibited the amplitude of the sustained component (IC(50) of 234 ± 53 µM). Other types of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) channels were intact to sevanol application, except ASIC1a, which showed more than six times less affinity to it as compared with the inhibitory action on the ASIC3 channel. To elucidate the structure of sevanol, the set of NMR spectra in two solvents (d(6)-DMSO and D(2)O) was collected, and the complete chemical structure was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (LC-ESI(+)-MS) fragmentation. This compound is a new lignan built up of epiphyllic acid and two isocitryl esters in positions 9 and 10. In vivo administration of sevanol (1-10 mg/kg) significantly reversed thermal hyperalgesia induced by complete Freund's adjuvant injection and reduced response to acid in a writhing test. Thus, we assume the probable considerable role of sevanol in known analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of thyme.