A new species of Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Dolomedidae) from the island of New Guinea

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  A new species of Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Dolomedidae) from the island of New Guinea Abstract A new species, Dolomedes afi sp. n., is diagnosed and described from New Guinea Island (Papua New Guinea) based on both sexes. The new species is similar to the Australian species D. alexandri Raven & Hebron, 2018, D. vicque Raven & Hebron, 2018 and D. wollemi Raven & Hebron, 2018, but differs from them in the structure of the copulatory organs. The new species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in body coloration. A detailed description and digital photographs are provided. The collecting localities of Dolomedes species in New Guinea are mapped. Fomichev, A. A., & Omelko, M. M. (2026). A new species of Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Dolomedidae) from the island of New Guinea.  Acta Biologica Sibirica ,  12 , 355-365. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19563050

Computational discovery to reveal molecular interactions of phytochemicals with deadly snake venoms as potential therapeutic candidate for snakebite treatment

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Computational discovery to reveal molecular interactions of phytochemicals with deadly snake venoms as potential therapeutic candidate for snakebite treatment

Abstract

Snake envenomation remains a major health threat, particularly in rural regions. This study investigates five ethnomedicinal plants Andrographis paniculata, Aristolochia spp., Hemidesmus indicus, Perilla frutescens, and Tabernaemontana catharinensis traditionally used for snakebite treatment in northern Chhattisgarh. Key bioactive compounds, including andrographolide, aristolochic acid, lupeol acetate, rosmarinic acid, and 4-methoxysalicylic acid, and five known compounds 12-methoxy-4 methylvoachalotine, anisic acid, salicylic acid, 1-hydroxytetra triacontan-4-one, and pinostrobin, were evaluated for their interactions with venom protein families PLA2, 3FTx, and KUN using molecular docking via AutoDock Vina. Lupeol acetate exhibited the strongest binding affinity across multiple venom proteins, while 4-methoxysalicylic acid effectively targeted three key domains in the 1VIP protein. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the top protein–ligand complexes. All compounds, except 1-hydroxytetratriacontan-4-one, met Lipinski’s and ADMET criteria, indicating favorable drug-like properties. These findings highlight the potential of plant-derived phytochemicals, particularly 4-methoxysalicylic acid, as therapeutic candidates for snakebite treatment. Further experimental validation is recommended to explore their potential as plant-based antidotes.

Das, O.K., Hial, A.K., Aneshwari, R.K. et al. Computational discovery to reveal molecular interactions of phytochemicals with deadly snake venoms as potential therapeutic candidate for snakebite treatment. In Silico Pharmacol. 13, 200 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40203-025-00488-1