Scorpion Venom Peptides: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Inflammatory and Hepatic Disorders

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  Scorpion Venom Peptides: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Inflammatory and Hepatic Disorders Abstract Chronic hepatic disorders, such as metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcohol associated liver disease (ALD), and viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B Virus [HBV]/Hepatitis C Virus [HCV]), are primarily driven by persistent immune-mediated inflammation and hepatic stellate cell activation leading to fibrosis, yet conventional therapies lack tissue and molecular specificity. Scorpion venom peptides, refined through evolutionary selection, provide highly potent, target specific scaffolds capable of modulating intrahepatic inflammatory networks. Recent in vivo preclinical studies indicate that voltage gated potassium (Kv1.3) channel blocking peptides, such as BmKK2, significantly reduce macrophage activation and inhibit downstream cytokine production, effectively ameliorating diet-induced steatohepatitis and tissue scarring in murine models. Engineered hepatotropic ca...

A new species of the trapdoor spider genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India

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A new species of the trapdoor spider genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India

Abstract

A new species of trapdoor spider, Tigidia singhal sp. nov., is described from the semi-arid grasslands of the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra, India. Detailed morphological descriptions, measurements, and illustrations of the holotype female are provided. This discovery marks the first record of the genus Tigidia from a semi-arid, open natural ecosystem, significantly expanding its known biogeographic range beyond the evergreen and deciduous forest habitats of peninsular India. Additionally, we document natural history observations, including burrow architecture and microhabitat preferences. This find highlights the underexplored diversity of Indian mygalomorph spiders and underscores the critical need for biodiversity surveys in open natural ecosystems.

Tripathi, R., Bolde, P. & Vanak, A. T. (2026). A new species of the trapdoor spider genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India. Arachnology 20(5): 749-752.