Perinatal effects of scorpion venoms: maternal and offspring development

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation is a public health problem, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Considering the high incidence of scorpionism in some areas, pregnant women and nursing mothers may be possible victims. Scorpion stings alter the release of neurotransmitters and some cytokines. These mediators act as organizers and programmers in the adequate formation of the nerves, and non-physiological concentrations of them during the brain organization originate disorders and diseases that can appear later in the life of the individual. Despite the importance of this subject, there are only a few studies showing the effects of scorpion venom on maternal reproductive development, in the morphology and physical and behavioral development of offspring. The present review article summarizes the major findings on this issue. Biochemical changes in the blood – such as hyperglycemia, increase on the level of sodium and on the creatinine concentration – are observed after scorpion sting in humans and experimental animals. Some studies in the literature demonstrate that the scorpion venom affects the maternal reproductive development in humans and in experimental animals, increasing the frequency and amplitude of uterine contraction and the number of resorptions. The venom can also lead to some alterations in the embryonic or fetal development increasing the total weight of fetuses and of some organs. Moreover, it affects the general activity and locomotion during childhood and adulthood, and the anxiety level in adult females and males. It also alters the number of hippocampal neurons and interferes in the level of some cytokines. Altogether, it is evident that the venom, when administered during the pregnancy or lactation, affects the development of the offspring. Studies are being conducted to determine the actual participation of the venom in the development of the offspring, and to what extent they are detrimental to animal development.

Scorpion stings in pregnancy: an analysis of outcomes in 66 envenomed pregnant patients in Iran

“…Despite its importance, there is insufficient information on the effects of scorpion envenomation on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, and unfortunately the available data is controversial [23]. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the possible toxic effects of scorpionism on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.…”

“…Some previous studies in Khuzestan province in Iran have reported that most scorpion-sting victims were female homemakers [11,22]. However, the available medical data on the effects of the scorpion envenomation on pregnancy outcomes are not only insufficient but also somewhat controversial [23]. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of scorpion envenomation on pregnancy outcomes, maternal and prenatal-neonatal complications, in pregnant women referred to the Clinical Toxicology Unit of Ahvaz Razi Hospital (Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran).…”

Alcoholic Extracts of Eleusine indica as Alternative Diuretic Regimens: A Computational Based Investigation

“…Indeed, this weed cum herb is widely cultivated and used as a vegetable and fruit in Malaysia (locally known as rumput sambau) and other tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. The positive part of the weed has lots of traditional medicinal uses, including leaves used for microbial infection, muscle pain, cough, scorpion poisoning, hastening the delivery of placentas for women after the birth of a baby, and relieving pain during vaginal bleeding (Dorce et al, 2017;Sukor et al, 2023). The root extracts are widely used for the treatment of asthma; whole plant extracts for urinary infection; areal plant extracts with rice are also used for flu viral infection; and root extracts with Capsicum sp.…”

“…(Solanacae) for piles. From several recent scientific investigations, exhibited antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, analgesic, etc., activities (Dorce et al, 2017;Ogbole et al, 2027;Puah et al, 2022). In addition, a few active phytochemicals, like hexanoic acid, sioschaftoside, sitosterol, stigasterol, isovitexin, vitexin, coumatin, etc., have been identified through column-chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) approaches (Ong et al, 2016;Sukor et al, 2023).…”