New species and records of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from the Maghreb

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  New species and records of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from the Maghreb Abstract Based on the examination of several series of specimens collected in the Maghreb during 2014–2026, new taxonomic and faunistic data on the spider fauna of this region are provided. Eight species are described as new to science from Algeria: Archaeodictyna bosmansi Alioua & Zamani, sp. nov. (♂♀; El Maghaier), A . ouridae Alioua & Zamani, sp. nov. (♂♀; El Maghaier) [Dictynidae], Leptopilos gaetulinus Zamani & Alioua, sp. nov. (♀; El Maghaier) [Gnaphosidae], Nemesia numidica Zamani & Alioua, sp. nov. (♂; Ghardaïa) [Nemesiidae], Sulsula meghairica Zamani & Alioua, sp. nov. (♂; El Maghaier) [Oonopidae], Halodromus algericus Zamani & Alioua, sp. nov. (♂♀; El Maghaier) [Philodromidae], Artema saharensis Zamani & Alioua, sp. nov. (♂; El Menia and Ghardaïa) [Pholcidae], and Xysticus ogeri Alioua, Zamani & Dekkoumi, sp. nov. (♀; El Maghaier) [Thomisidae]. The previously unknown...

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

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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