Snake venom in conjugation with silica nanoparticles: an emerging cancer therapy

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the most prevalent causes of mortality worldwide and thus necessitates the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Snake venom, consisting of a complex mixture of bioactive proteins and peptides, has demonstrated significant anti-cancer effects such as cytotoxicity, angiogenesis inhibition, and apoptosis induction. However, its clinical applicability is restrained due to stability concerns and off-target toxicity. The current review aims to investigate the potential of employing silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) as a vehicle for administering snake venom to enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. Snake venom conjugated SiO2 NP shave gained attention recently due to their biocompatibility, stability, and optimal loading efficiency. In vitro investigations on cancer cell lines revealed a considerable increase in cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis as compared to free snake venom, with greater selectivity for malignant cells. Furthermore, apoptotic cell death through overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS)has also been shown in preliminary in vivo models. The main aim of this review article is to highlight that combining snake venom and SiO2 NPs can work in conjunction to provide tailored cancer treatment. This novel strategy not only overcomes the drawbacks of traditional treatments but also opens up the possibilities for more preclinical and clinical research on the application of venom-based nanotherapeutics in oncology.