A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

Posted by
  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

Stinging Salvation: Harnessing Scorpion Venom Peptides for Revolutionary Pain Relief

Posted by

 


Stinging Salvation: Harnessing Scorpion Venom Peptides for Revolutionary Pain Relief

Abstract

Peptides from scorpion venom, mainly in species such as Olivierus martensii (formerly Olivierus martensii Karsch, often designated BMK) (BmK) and Tityus serrulatus from the Buthidae family, show real promise as painkillers that skip opioids altogether. They work by hitting specific ion channels and dialing down inflammation. This review gathers information on their molecular setups: disulfide-bridged types and those without, weighing in at 3 to 10 kilodaltons (kDa). Structural features include motifs stabilized by cysteines. In pain signaling, they block voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) such as NaV1.7 and NaV1.8; take the BmK analgesic–antitumor peptide (BmK-AGAP) for example. Additionally, scorpion venom heat-resistant peptide (SVHRP) reduces microglia activity. Tests on rodents using formalin injections, acetic acid writhing, and chronic constriction injury (CCI) setups reveal pain relief that depends on dose and stacks up to morphine. Pairings like AGAP with lidocaine decrease the effective dose by half. In terms of safety, therapeutic levels have low-toxicity with a median lethal dose (LD50) over 20 mg/kg. Issues crop up with immune responses, unintended targets, and differences in venom batches. Clinical information remains thin, so gaps persist. Engineered versions could change the game for neuropathic pain, inflammatory conditions, and cancer-related discomfort. Standardization plus Phase I studies would help move this forward.

Mosaddeghi-Heris, R., Pandeh, M., Ghorbi, L., Taheri, N., Shariat Zadeh, M., Bagheri, K., & Martelletti, P. (2026). Stinging Salvation: Harnessing Scorpion Venom Peptides for Revolutionary Pain Relief. Toxins. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18030120