Human breast carcinoma cells are induced to apoptosis by samsum ant venom through an IGF-1-dependant pathway, PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling

► The effect of samsum ant venom (SAV) on the growth arrest of MCF-7 was detected. ► SAV induced growth arrest of MCF-7 cells. ► SAV had no effect on the non-tumorigenic normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10). ► SAV induced a marked reduction in IGF-1-mediated MCF-7 cell proliferation. ► SAV induced a marked reduction in the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, but not P38.