Can Scorpion Venom Peptides Be Safely Used in Cardiovascular Therapy: A Systematic Review

Posted by
  Can Scorpion Venom Peptides Be Safely Used in Cardiovascular Therapy: A Systematic Review Abstract Scorpion venom contains numerous bioactive peptides with potent cardiovascular effects, including bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs), ion channel modulators, and cardioprotective molecules. These peptides show promise for conditions such as hypertension, cardiac injury, and arrhythmias. However, concerns regarding toxicity, immunogenicity, and off-target actions have limited their clinical development. This systematic review evaluates the therapeutic potential and safety of scorpion venom peptides for cardiovascular applications. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar identified 1,141 articles. Screening of 463 abstracts and full-text review of 446 eligible studies resulted in 17 publications meeting the inclusion criteria. Extracted data included mechanisms, efficacy, toxicity, and translational challenges. BPPs consistently demonstrated AC...

Comparison between different methods of estimating the developmental stages in a synanthropic scorpion Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876)

Posted by

 


Comparison between different methods of estimating the developmental stages in a synanthropic scorpion Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876)

Abstract

Determining developmental stages is an important tool for monitoring populations of medically important arthropods, including some scorpions species. Therefore, prediction tools for scorpion developmental stages may provide useful information for public health. Thus, this study compared different methods to estimate the developmental stages of the alien and medically important scorpion species Tityus stigmurus collected in São Paulo. We tested the applicability of the following morphometric methods: grouping (K-means and Ward’s), theoretical, and distribution of frequencies for instar estimation in field-caught T. stigmurus individuals. The methods showed similar results up to the 5th instar. Our results corroborate the literature on the non-objectivity of the hierarchical clustering method in determining the exact number of size classes in the sample. We also found that the hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering methods diverged regarding the two largest size classes. The peaks in the frequency curve of the carapace length and the theoretical calculation using a growth factor of 1.26 proved useful in determining the stages of development. Seven size classes were demonstrated, which provide evidence that T. stigmurus individuals can reach maturity at the 6th or 7th instar.

Campos, K. A., Galati, E. A. B., & Lira, A. F. A. (2024). Comparison between different methods of estimating the developmental stages in a synanthropic scorpion Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876). Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 46(1), e68981. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v46i1.68981