Assessment of the Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Viability Effects of Salivary Gland Extracts from ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND

The saliva and salivary glands of ticks possess a wide range of immuno-pharmacologically active molecules that effectively modulate the activity of enzymes, antibodies, and amines that have a role in different biological processes. Derived components from saliva and salivary glands of hard ticks Ixodidae have been characterized as potential natural sources for discovering promising anti-cancer drug candidates.

METHODS

The anti-cancer activity of salivary gland extracts (SGEs) from , , , and was assessed. MTT assays and flow cytometry were done on the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line to evaluate the anti-viability and proliferative inhibition.

RESULTS

Based on the MTT assay results, the SGEs from had the highest and lowest substantial anti-viability effects on the HT-29 cancer cell and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) normal cell, respectively. The cytometric assessment revealed a significant increase in the apoptosis and necrosis ratio of the HT-29 cancer cells after treatment with SGEs.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that SGEs have significant anti-proliferative, anti-viability, and apoptotic potential. The result of this study suggests that SGEs is an appropriate candidate for further investigations to identify and purify the mechanisms and molecules involved in the anti-cancer activity of the SGEs.