Study of Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity of Scorpion Toxins DKK-SP1/2 from Scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK)

Abstract

Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK), is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for a long history for the treatment of many diseases, such as inflammation, pain and cancer. In this study, DKK-SP1/2/3 genes were screened and extracted from the cDNA library of BmK. The DKK-SP1/2/3 were expressed by using plasmid pSYPU-1b in E. coli BL21, and recombinant proteins were obtained by column chromatography. In the xylene-induced mouse ear swelling and carrageenan-induced rat paw swelling model, DKK-SP1 exerted a significant anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of Nav1.8 channel. Meanwhile, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (COX-2, IL-6) was decreased significantly and the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) were elevated significantly. Moreover, DKK-SP1 could significantly decrease the Nav1.8 current in acutely isolated rat DRG neurons. In the acetic acid-writhing and ION-CCI model, DKK-SP2 displayed significant analgesic activity by inhibiting the expression of the Nav1.8 channel. Moreover, DKK-SP2 could significantly inhibit the Nav1.7 current in the hNav1.7-CHO cells.

Biochemical characterization and in vitro cytotoxic activity of the Egyptian scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus whole body extract

“…Invertebrate animals, in particular, are considered as potential sources for drug development (Finke, 2007). In this line, scorpion venom is currently in use in preclinical studies as antitumor, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents (Salama and El-Naggar, 2021;Chen et al, 2021;Liu et al, 2021). Recently, the whole body of scorpions was investigated as antidiabetic agent (Abdel-Rahman et al, 2019).…”

Analysis of the Experience of Using Ointment Formula in the Treatment of Rheumatism in Chinese Medicine Books

“…Insect drugs can run well in the human body, thereby alleviating inflammation and improving disease symptoms [10] . In recent years, more and more studies have found that insect drugs may have certain potential for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis [11] .Studies have found that scorpion can rebuild immune tolerance by increasing the expression of CD4 +, CD25 + and FoxP3 + in peripheral blood, so that autoimmune damage can be restored [12] . Atractylodes lancea has the effect of dispersing cold and removing dampness to treat wind arthralgia pain, and is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases [13] .…”

Research on protein and peptides in scorpion based on transcriptomics- proteomics-peptidomics integrated association analysis strategy

“…It has the effect of relieving pain, suppressing cancer, and removing toxin. It is used in the treatment of spasm, convulsion, hemiplegia, tetanus, tumor, etc [3][4] . With the development of modern medicine, scorpion has been increasingly used in refractory diseases, and new progress has been made in its pharmacological effects.…”