Neurotoxicity Screening of Venom Components from the Philippine Cave Tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos

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Neurotoxicity Screening of Venom Components from the Philippine Cave Tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos

Abstract
We report the neurotoxicity of venom components of a cave-dwelling tarantula from the genus Orphnaecus, collected from an island in the eastern part of Luzon, Philippines. The neurotoxicity of the HPLC fractions of the venom extracted from the Philippine tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos was assessed based on their effects on the swimming behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae and by observing larval swimming patterns. Our results show that several fractions of the spider venom altered the swimming behavior and patterns of the larvae, indicating that they are neurotoxic. Both paralysis and seizure hyperactivity were observed in larvae exposed to Fractions 2 and 3. Only seizure was observed in zebrafish larvae exposed to Fraction 7. These results suggest that several fractions of the O. kwebaburdeos venom contain neurotoxic components. The observed neurotoxic phenotypes may be caused by the different neurotoxic components which can further be studied.

Guevarra Jr, Leonardo & Ramones, Cydee Marie & Santiago, Myla & Dalmacio, Leslie Michelle. (2025). Neurotoxicity Screening of Venom Components from the Philippine Cave Tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos. Acta Manilana. 73. 102-112. 10.53603/actamanil.73.2025.usfp7492.