Scorpion Venom: Detriments and Benefits

Abstract

Scorpion venom may cause severe medical complications and untimely death if injected into the human body. Neurotoxins are the main components of scorpion venom that are known to be responsible for the pathological manifestations of envenoming. Besides neurotoxins, a wide range of other bioactive molecules can be found in scorpion venoms. Advances in separation, characterization, and biotechnological approaches have enabled not only the development of more effective treatments against scorpion envenomings, but have also led to the discovery of several scorpion venom peptides with interesting therapeutic properties. Thus, scorpion venom may not only be a medical threat to human health, but could prove to be a valuable source of bioactive molecules that may serve as leads for the development of new therapies against current and emerging diseases. This review presents both the detrimental and beneficial properties of scorpion venom toxins and discusses the newest advances within the development of novel therapies against scorpion envenoming and the therapeutic perspectives for scorpion toxins in drug discovery.

Small Molecules in the Venom of the Scorpion Hormurus waigiensis

“…Scorpion envenomation poses a significant public health issue in certain areas of the world, particularly in northern Saharan Africa, South and East Africa, the Near- and Middle-East, southern India, Mexico, Brazil, and within the Amazonian basin [ 1 ]. Although the effects of scorpion venom can be severe when injected by a scorpion, individual venom components can have a wide range of positive applications in medicine when administered in a controlled way [ 2 ]. Past research into scorpion venoms has primarily focused on peptide constituents, as these molecules display the greatest diversity within the venom, are often responsible for the greatest toxic effects, and have the largest potential for development of therapeutics or bioinsecticides [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

Pioneering Study on Rhopalurus crassicauda Scorpion Venom: Isolation and Characterization of the Major Toxin and Hyaluronidase

“…Effects on insect ion channels are usually observed by scorpion-derived toxins, since insects are the preys of these animals, specially cockroaches, which are known to be their preferred diet ( 67 ). In fact, several studies demonstrate the potential of scorpion toxins to be used as insecticides ( 16 , 68 ). Therefore, Rc1 can be classified as a β-scorpion toxin targeting mammal and insect voltage-gated sodium channels, pro-inflammatory, and painful neurotoxin.…”

“…Scorpion venoms can trigger several clinical effects and their toxins can target different biological systems ( 5 ). Thus, several signs and symptoms can be observed in victims stung by scorpions such as pain, myosis, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, arterial hypotension, increased lachrymal, nasal, salivary, pancreatic, gastric and bronchial secretions, diaphoresis, tremors, piloerection, and muscle spasms, increases blood amylase levels, mydriasis, cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, arterial hypertension, acute pulmonary edema, cardiac failure, and even circulatory shock following death ( 14 – 16 ). Concerning R. crassicauda , although there is no report about the signs and symptoms, physicians in Roraima have not faced severe intoxication by victims stung by this species, although intense pain and mild paresthesia are always reported by patients.…”

Animal Venoms—Curse or Cure?

“…The “curse” aspect of venoms is covered in a number of contributions. For example, the review articles by Ahmadi et al [ 59 ] and Seldeslachts et al [ 60 ] discuss the dangers that venomous scorpions and caterpillars pose to humans, but they also provide insights into current and future treatment options, such as the next-generation recombinant antivenoms [ 59 ]. Two contributions from Jeroen Kool’s group examine the usefulness of the small-molecule PLA2 inhibitor Varespladib as a potential drug for the treatment of snake bites.…”