Remarkable micro-endemism and high congeneric richness: eight new cave-restricted species of Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from the Brazilian semi-arid

Posted by
  Remarkable micro-endemism and high congeneric richness: eight new cave-restricted species of Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from the Brazilian semi-arid Abstract Eight new species of pseudoscorpions belonging to the genus Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 are described from the semi-arid region of Brazil. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, diagnostic characters, detailed illustrations, and ecological remarks of the habitats are provided for Pseudochthonius celestialis sp. nov., P. caritas sp. nov., P. patientia sp. nov., P. temperantia sp. nov., P. diligentia sp. nov., P. castitas sp. nov., P. humilitas sp. nov., and P. benignitas sp. nov. In addition, we present a brief discussion of the potential factors underlying the remarkable congeneric species richness observed in this geographically restricted region, as well as the principal threats faced by these species. These findings underscore the importance of conserving caves in order to pr...

AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Posted by

 


AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Purpose

This study focuses on the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Tetrascorpin-1 (AaTs-1), a tetrapeptide isolated from Androctonus australis hector venom, proposed as a putative formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) antagonist, in a cuprizone-induced murine model of Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.

Methods

Acute demyelination was induced in mice by administering cuprizone (0.2% w/w in the diet) for six weeks. During the sixth week of cuprizone intake, demyelinated mice received intranasal administration of AaTs-1 at a dose of 50–100 µg/kg for five consecutive days, with 24-hour intervals between treatments.

Results

Behavioral assessments, immunological assays, and histological analyses revealed that AaTs-1 improved body weight, reduced behavioral impairments and mitigated neuroinflammation by suppressing astrogliosis and microgliosis, lowering myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels, and downregulating proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), while upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum. Moreover, AaTs-1 restored oxidative balance by reducing nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing catalase activity and glutathione (GSH) levels.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings indicate that AaTs-1 confers significant neuroprotective effects by limiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, thereby enhancing remyelination and functional recovery.

Moussaoui, H., Amarni, M., Ladjel-Mendil, A. et al. AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Pept Res Ther 32, 62 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-026-10842-2