Cytotoxic Activity of a Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus molossus) Venom-Loaded in Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Potential Antitumoral System

Nanomedicine has led to the development of new materials able to improve the pharmaceutical effect of bioactive components, broadening the options of treatment for several diseases, including cancer. Chitosan (Cs) has been firmly established as biocompatible and biodegradable low-toxic polymer able to form complexes with bioactive agents, making them promising drug delivery vehicles. Additionally, some snake venom toxins such as A2 phospholipases (PLA2s), serine proteinases (SVSPs) and metalloproteinases (SVMPs) have been reported to present cytotoxic activity in different tumor cell-lines, making them an auspicious option to be used as cancer pharmaceuticals. In the present study, we identified the major proteins in a northern black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus molossus) venom, and hemocompatibility and cytotoxic activity against T-47D breast carcinoma cells were evaluated. Afterwards, the venom was loaded into Cs nanoparticles through the ionotropic gelation process with tripolyphosphate (TPP), obtaining particles of 415.9 ± 21.67 nm and a zeta potential of +28.3 ± 1.17 mV. The Cs-Venom complex was able to deliver the venom into the breast carcinoma cells, inhibiting their viability and inducing morphological changes in the T-47D cells. Although more studies are required, we suggest the potential use of C. m. molossus venom toxins entrapped within polymer nanoparticles for the future development and research of cancer pharmaceuticals.