Abstract: AIM: To research the inhibitory and apoptosis effect of anti-tumor component I(AAVC-I) from Agkistrodon acutus venom on human lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS: The inhibition rate after 24 h and 48 h with different concentrations of AAVC-I on A549 was detected by MTT method. The form of apoptosis was observed by HE staining and Hoechst fluorescent staining. The expression change of bax protein after AAVC-I treatment was detected by immunohistochemical staining method.RESULTS: MTT showed that AAVC-I could inhibit the proliferation of A549 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The form of apoptosis in A549 could be observed by ordinary microscope and fluorescent staining when treated with AAVC-I for 24 h. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the mean light density had a trend of increase in dose dependency, which indicated that the expression of bax increased accordingly.CONCLUSION: AAVC-I had an inhibitory effect on A549 cell proliferation, apoptosis promoting effect as well, which maybe related to the increase of bax expression.

Key words: AAVC-I, A549, apoptosis, bax