Effect of spider venom on inhibition proliferation of TE13 cells in vivo and in vitro

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of spider venom (SV). Methods Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by 3H-methyl thymidine incorporation ([3H]-TDR) assay. DNA fragmentation and cell cycle kinetics were analyzed by FACS. In vivo inhibition of tumor size of nude mice by SV (5.0, 10.0, 20.0 mg/kg mice) was constructed. Results SV exhibited significant anti-cancer effects on human squamous esophageal carcinoma cells TE13, mainly as a result of cell apoptosis induced by SV. The anti-cancer effects were likely achieved through decreasing [3H]-TdR. TE13 cells treated with SV (25, 50, 100 μg/mL), which were arrested in the G0/G1 phase. SV treatment leads to anti-proliferation effects, and significant apoptosis in TE13 cells with reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels can increase dramatically and decrease cellular mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, Western blotting analysis showed that one of the pharmacological mechanisms of SV was to activate the expression of P21. In vivo testing revealed that tumor size was significantly decreased after 21 days of treatment with the venom (P < 0.01). Conclusions Our data showed that SVs could inhibit TE13 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.