Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application

Posted by
  Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application Abstract Global food supply strongly depends on honeybee pollination services, which are threatened by insecticides and pests such as parasitic Varroa destructor mites. Chemical varroacides/acaricides are hampered by resistance development, necessitating the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, with arthropod venom peptides being considered promising sources of acaricidal toxins. With only a few acaricidal venom peptides being reported, we performed a systematic topical screening of 50 arthropod venoms against V. destructor , with 78% of the venoms causing 100% mortality after 24 h. Deconvolution of the venoms from the Tasmanian cave spider Hickmania troglodytes and the Giant Japanese funnel-web spider Gigathele gigas led to identification of the varroacidal peptides Ht1a and Gg1a. Topical application of Ht1a and Gg1a reduced varroa mite ...

Scorpion Venom as a Natural Peptide Source for Innovative Therapeutic Solutions: A Comprehensive Review of Its Potential in Emerging Medical Frontiers

Posted by

 


Scorpion Venom as a Natural Peptide Source for Innovative Therapeutic Solutions: A Comprehensive Review of Its Potential in Emerging Medical Frontiers

Abstract

Scorpion venom is a complex mixture and an abundant natural source of bioactive components, including peptides and other molecules that exhibit a wide range of therapeutic effects despite its notable neurotoxic effects. This review focuses on these bioactive components and their therapeutic potential. Among the most potent molecules in scorpion venom are peptides with high specificity and affinity for ion channels, making them excellent candidates in drug development. The most critical therapeutic application is scorpion venom as an anticancer agent. Several venom peptides have selectivity toward cancer cells by inducing disruption in tumor growth and metastasis. Moreover, scorpion venom can modulate the immune system and thus can provide treatments for autoimmune diseases through its action on ion channels in lymphocytes. Neurological effects, especially in neurological disorders caused by venom peptides, come through an action against sodium and potassium channels. In pain management, scorpion toxins act upon the sodium channels in sensory neurons and provide analgesic effects. Additionally, much attention has been paid to antimicrobial properties of scorpion venom. Peptides isolated from venom have demonstrated strong, broad-spectrum inhibitory activities against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which have opened a new avenue to develop antimicrobial therapies. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects extend the therapeutic possibilities of scorpion venom further. Venom peptides may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and relieve diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the therapeutic effects of scorpion venom, emphasizing its potential in drug development for a wide range of diseases.

Abdallnasser Amen, R., Atef Essmat, R., Farid, A., Abdel-Rahman, M. A., El-Sherif, A. A., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Scorpion Venom as a Natural Peptide Source for Innovative Therapeutic Solutions: A Comprehensive Review of Its Potential in Emerging Medical Frontiers. Toxicon, 108603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108603