Scorpions of Angola (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part I. Family Buthidae, with descriptions of two new species.

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  Scorpions of Angola (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part I. Family Buthidae, with descriptions of two new species. Abstract All scorpion species of the family Buthidae known from Angola are listed, with color photographs and maps of their distribution. Diagnosis of Babycurus ansorgei Hirst, 1911 is revised; its male is described for the first time. Babycurus crassicaudatus Roewer, 1952, is revalidated (it was erroneously synonymized with B. ansorgei , since the females of both species are morphologically almost identical). Uroplectes angolensis sp. n . and U. xavieri sp. n. are described from Angola. Validity of Uroplectes ngangelarum Monard, 1930 is confirmed as different from U. planimanus (Karsch, 1879); its lectotype is designated. Lectotype is also designated for Uroplectes planimanus kuanyamarus Monard, 1937. Female of Uroplectes ebog o Kovařík et al., 2024 from Cameroon is recorded for the first time; its pectines are imaged (Fig. 603). Uroplectes machadoi Lourenço, 2...

Peptides from Animal Venoms: A Promising Frontier in Diabetes Therapy via Multi-Target Mechanisms

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Peptides from Animal Venoms: A Promising Frontier in Diabetes Therapy via Multi-Target Mechanisms

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Bioactive peptides derived from animal venoms, toxins, and secretions demonstrate considerable pharmacological potential for use in the management of diabetes mellitus—a highly prevalent metabolic disorder of substantial global health significance. This integrative review systematically evaluated the current evidence regarding the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic properties of these bioactive peptides. Methods: This study was guided by the research question “What are the mechanisms of action of peptides derived from animal venoms in modulating parameters associated with diabetes?” developed using the PECo framework. A comprehensive literature search was executed across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, focusing on studies from the last five years. Out of 190 identified articles, 17 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Results: Twenty-eight distinct peptides were characterized, exhibiting structural diversity with 7–115 amino acid residues and molecular weights of 900–13,000 Da. These compounds were sourced from venomous taxa including sea anemones, marine snails, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, and snakes. Their antidiabetic mechanisms encompassed glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonism, insulin receptor activation, potassium channel inhibition, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) upregulation, and α-amylase inhibition. Sequence analyses revealed substantial homology among peptides with analogous mechanisms—notably Con-Ins and ILP-Ap04, plus SpTx1 and SsTx-4—suggesting that structural determinants underlie their functional characteristics. Toxicological evaluations of nine peptides demonstrated low-toxicity profiles despite originating from toxic venom, crucial for therapeutic development. Conclusions: These peptides exhibited exceptional pharmacological potency with effective doses in nanogram-to-nanomole per kilogram ranges. Collectively, our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of venom-derived peptides as innovative candidates for use in diabetes management.

de Almeida, J.O.C.S.; Comerma-Steffensen, S.G.; de Souza de Almeida Leite, J.R.; Simonsen, U.; Arcanjo, D.D.R. Peptides from Animal Venoms: A Promising Frontier in Diabetes Therapy via Multi-Target Mechanisms. Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18, 1438. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18101438