AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis

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  AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis Abstract Purpose This study focuses on the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Tetrascorpin-1 (AaTs-1), a tetrapeptide isolated from Androctonus australis hector venom, proposed as a putative formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) antagonist, in a cuprizone-induced murine model of Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Methods Acute demyelination was induced in mice by administering cuprizone (0.2% w/w in the diet) for six weeks. During the sixth week of cuprizone intake, demyelinated mice received intranasal administration of AaTs-1 at a dose of 50–100 µg/kg for five consecutive days, with 24-hour intervals between treatments. Results Behavioral assessments, immunological assays, and histological analyses revealed that AaTs-1 improved body weight, reduced behavioral impairments...

Further additions to the rare dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Corinnidae)

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Further additions to the rare dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Corinnidae)

Abstract

In this paper, a new species of the spider genus Messapus Simon, 1897 is described, M. mygaloides sp. nov. (♀ ♂, Mozambique and Tanzania). We also provide the first description of the male of M. tigris Haddad & Mbo, 2015 based on a specimen collected from the type locality and record the species from Zimbabwe for the first time too. The type species, M. martini Simon, 1897, is recorded from Eswatini for the first time. An updated identification key to the genus is also presented.


Haddad, C. R. & Grismado, C. J. (2025). Further additions to the rare dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5637(2): 351-362. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5637.2.8