Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production

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  By Guy Haimovitch - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=630184 Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production Abstract Mite infestations are a recurrent welfare issue that significantly affect the health, venom production, and survival of scorpions, particularly under human care. Chemical acaricides such as permethrins and fipronil, widely used in veterinary medicine for mite and tick control, are contraindicated in scorpions. Since mites and scorpions both belong to the class Arachnida, even minimal exposure can result in severe toxicity or death. Neem oil ( Azadirachta indica ) has been widely recognized for its acaricidal, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Its main compound, azadirachtin, interferes with mite development and reproduction, leading to reduced infestations and egg viability. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 1...

Photobiomodulation Activated TGF-β1 Has Discrete Roles in Modulating Macrophage Responses to Bothrops jararacussu Venom

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Photo 64655231, (c) Juliano Marques, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Juliano Marques, https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/64655231

Photobiomodulation Activated TGF-β1 Has Discrete Roles in Modulating Macrophage Responses to Bothrops jararacussu Venom

ABSTRACT

Bothrops jararacussu (BjsuV) snake bites cause severe local and systemic effects that are counteracted with antivenom that is ineffective in preventing damage to muscle tissue and amputations. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a promising adjunct anti-inflammatory therapy. This study investigated whether PBM can modulate macrophage functions via TGF-β1 following exposure to BjsuV. Cell survival, migration, and phagocytosis of macrophages were evaluated after treatments with BjsuV, TGF-β1, a TGF-β inhibitor—SB431542, and PBM (660 nm red or 810 nm near-infrared laser at 10 mW/cm2, 400 and 500 s, 4 J/cm2, and 5 J/cm2, 7.5 pJ/cm2, 1.7ɇ). BjsuV-reduced macrophage survival and migration but increased phagocytosis that was significantly counteracted by PBM treatments. These observations suggest the anti-inflammatory effects of PBM in macrophages contribute to its therapeutic potential in mitigating venom-induced multiple signaling pathways. These mechanistic insights could improve the rigor and reproducibility of future clinical PBM anti-inflammatory treatments.

David, A. C., Amin, M., Varsani, R., Tang, M. Z., Kalshetti, D., Silva Junior, J. A., Zamuner, S. R., & Arany, P. (2026). Photobiomodulation Activated TGF-β1 Has Discrete Roles in Modulating Macrophage Responses to Bothrops jararacussu Venom. Journal of Biophotonics, 19(2), e70238. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.70238