Investigating the effects of animal venoms in ovarian cancer

Masters Thesis


Akers, C. 2019. Investigating the effects of animal venoms in ovarian cancer. Masters Thesis Canterbury Christ Church University School of Human and Life Sciences
AuthorsAkers, C.
TypeMasters Thesis
Qualification nameMSc by Research
Abstract

Objectives: Ovarian Cancer is considered the most lethal gynaecological disease with over 9 million women dying annually on a global scale. Current standards of care which consists of debulking surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy are proving to be inadequate due to chemoresistance whilst targeted-therapies available are limited. This prompts research into identifying the therapeutic potential of animal venoms in relation to ovarian cancer.

Materials and Methods: Using a 50% threshold, the ability of crude venom from Parabuthus transvaalicus (Transvaalicus thick-tailed scorpion), Heterometrus madraspatensis (Madras forest scorpion) and Heterometrus mysorensis to inhibit SK-OV-3 cell metabolism was analysed using dose response assays. Furthermore, fractioned venoms Naja nigricollis_r11 (Black-necked spitting cobra) and Pandinus cavimanus_r28 (Tanzanian red clawed scorpion) were also investigated for their inhibitory effects on the cell line.

Results: Crude Parabuthus transvaalicus venom at a concentration of 200µg/ml inhibited 44.55% of SK-OV-3 cell metabolism. Heterometrus madraspatensis and Heterometrus mysorensis venom at a concentration of 500µg/ml inhibited 0.78% and 2.35% of cell metabolism respectively. Fractioned venom Pandinus cavimanus_r28 at a concentration of 15.63µg/ml inhibited 2.54% of cell metabolism whilst Naja nigricollis_r11 venom fraction produced an LD50 of 37.23µg/ml.

KeywordsOvarian cancer; Treatment; Animal venoms
Year2019
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Deposited20 May 2020
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/8v8wq/investigating-the-effects-of-animal-venoms-in-ovarian-cancer

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