Insights into Composition and Therapeutic Applications of Scorpion Venom Peptides
Abstract
Scorpion venom molecules have a wide range of therapeutic applications for their potent efficacy and selectivity. They have the capacity to modulate various ion channels (Cl−, Ca2+, K+, and Na+), and this capability has been exploited to develop effective therapeutic agents targeting cancer cells and microbes. One of the good examples, the electrophysiological properties of voltage-gated sodium channels have been investigated through the utilization of an array of scorpion toxins. Using an assortment of peptides and protein compounds, scorpion venom has been utilized to tame prey and ward off predators. Venom peptides and proteins can cause a variety of toxicological reactions, including as discomfort, priapism, hypotension, and heart arrhythmia The ability of scorpion venoms to differentiate between vertebrate and invertebrate ion channels has made them good templates for developing potent therapeutic agents. For instance, they reveal antibacterial and anticancer characteristics, besides having cardiovascular and autoimmune disease-modulating activity. Numerous scorpion venom peptides, their interactions with ion channels, and their use as potential therapeutic agents are discussed in this brief review.
Shokhba, A., Omran, M., Abdel-Nabi, I., Nafie, M., Abdel-Rahman, M. (2025). 'Insights into Composition and Therapeutic Applications of Scorpion Venom Peptides', Advances in Environmental and Life Sciences, (), pp. -. doi: 10.21608/aels.2025.410419.1083