Robust anticancer efficacy of Naja haje venom-loaded silica nanoparticles against triple-negative breast cancer xenografts in a preclinical rat model.

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer, a prevalent disease affecting women globally, is particularly aggressive and has limited treatment options.

Aim: Snake venom, containing active chemicals, has shown potential in medicine.

Methods: The study investigates the anticancer effect of Egyptian cobra Naja haje venom alone and in combination with Nanoparticles (NP) on TNBC in vivo. The study involved dividing experimental animals into five groups, each with 10 rats, each treated with different doses of crude venom, G2 and G3, respectively. The study involved loading venom onto NP-based delivery systems, measuring inflammatory cytokines and tumor markers, extracting RNA, real-time qRT-PCR gene expression, and histopathological examination of breast tissue.

Results: The study involved administering Naja haje crude venom at higher (1/5 LD50) and lower (1/20 LD50) dose levels in groups G2 and G3, respectively.

Conclusion: The study found that venom treatment in groups G4 and G5 significantly improved inflammatory cytokine and tumor markers levels, increased expression of tumor-suppressor genes, and increased apoptosis and necrosis.