Cytotoxic and Anticancer Effects of ICD-85 (Venom Derived Peptides) in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts

ICD-85 (venom derived peptides) has anti-proliferative effect and anti-angiogenesis activity on cancer cells. This study was performed to test the effect of ICD-85, on Human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDF) cell lines. In this experimental study, Mitochondrial activity, Neutral red uptake, Lactate dehydrogenase (cell necrosis), and cell morphology were assessed under unexposed and ICD-85 exposed conditions. Caspase-9 colorimetric assay kit was used to determine caspase protease activity.
Morphological changes in MCF-7 cells on treatment with ICD-85 compared with untreated MCF-7 cells are consistent with characterizing the features of apoptosis such as granulation and cell rounding which finally results in the generation of apoptotic bodies. In contrast, this difference was not observed in normal cells. In MTT assay, ICD-85 induced dose dependent manner cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells which were confirmed by neutral red assay. The results showed that inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) value of ICD-85 for MCF-7 cells at 24 h was 36.45 ± 0.38 μg/mL. However, when HDF cells were exposed to ICD-85, no significant elevation of LDH release were observed at concentrations below 20 μg/mL. The apoptosis-induction of ICD-85 on MCF-7 cell was found to be through activation of caspase-9 which was 13 fold greater than unexposed cell.
This study showed that ICD-85 induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cell line through caspase activation and hence it can be considered for further investigation to use ICD-85 as a potential therapy for breast cancer.