In this study, the fraction of the Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom was subjected. The two bio- active fractions (F2 and F4) were separated and collected by RP-HPLC. Next, the cytotoxicity of F2 and F4 against human red blood cells and MCF-7 cell line was investigated. The expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 genes in cancer cells treated with fractions were determined. In order to evaluate the effects of the two extract fractions, breast cancer was induced in BALB-c mice developed by the injection of MCF-7 cells. Fol- lowing the intraperitoneal injection of F2 and F4 into mice, the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were measured using ELISA. The effects of fractions on the survival of MCF-7 cancer cells were significant compared to normal cells (p < 0.001), while they had no significant hemolysis activity against red blood cells (p > 0.05). The results showed that the expression of Bax and p53 was increased in MCF-7 cells treated with fractions compared to control cells without treatment, while the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased. The results of the in vivo analysis showed that the level of IFN-γ was increased, whereas the level of IL-4 was significantly reduced in mice treated with F2 and F4 at the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/kg compared to control animals (p < 0.0001). Based on the results, two extract fractions of H. lepturus scorpion venom exert anti-cancer properties, and they are able to modulate the immune system and induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

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