[Lethal effect of cytotoxin from Agkitrodon acutus venom on gastric cancer cells and their ultrastructure changes].

ABSTRACT

AIM: To purify cytotoxin from Agkitrodon acutus venom, and study the lethal effect of cytotoxin on gastric cancer cells and their ultrastructure changes. METHODS: The cytotoxin was isolated and purified with successive chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and TSKgel Pheny columns from Agkitrodon acutus venom. The feasibility of BGC-823 cells assessed using the MTT assay. The ultrastructure of BGC-823 cells treated with the cytotoxin was observed with the scanning and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The purified cytotoxin H1 killed the gastric cancer cells. The cancer cell membrane and nuclear envelope were broken, mitochondria were swollen and intracellular substances were leaked out. CONCLUSION: The cytotoxin from Agkitrodon acutus venom can kill the gastric cancer cells effectively.