Bioactive treasures in scorpion exuviae: anticancer insights from Hottentotta saulcyi extract fractions

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  Bioactive treasures in scorpion exuviae: anticancer insights from Hottentotta saulcyi extract fractions Abstract Despite significant improvements in cancer treatment, the development of therapeutic resistance remains a major cause of treatment failure. Therefore, the discovery of new anticancer agents is still necessary. Scorpions have a long history of use in traditional and specialized medicines, including anticancer applications, and have shown promise in modulating biological processes. They are of medical importance both globally and in the Kurdistan Region. However, there is still limited scientific evidence regarding their potential in cancer therapy. This study evaluated the natural organic compounds of whole-body scorpion extracts using GC–MS analysis and determined the in vitro cytotoxic effects of n-hexane (HO-Hex) and methanol (HO-Me) extracts against SW480, Calu-6, PC-3, HT29, AGS, and LNCaP cancer cell lines. The MTT assay was used to determine the effects of the ex...

Bioactivity profiling of linear venom peptides from Italian small wood-scorpion (Euscorpius italicus)

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Bioactivity profiling of linear venom peptides from Italian small wood-scorpion (Euscorpius italicus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Rising host-expansion and the global spread of pest insects, confront agricultural sectors with substantial concerns. A promising source of potential lead compounds to target these growing challenges are animal venoms which abound with a huge diversity of bioactive peptides suited for both pest control and drug discovery. Arachnids in particular contribute substantially to the extreme diversity of highly adapted venom compounds, and for some of these, translational potential in pest control has already been demonstrated. Members of the Euscorpiidae family of scorpions are among the most successful groups of scorpions in Europe. Although they use their venom for hunting, none of their toxins has thus far been functionally evaluated as their low toxicity to humans has kept them out of the spotlight of venom research. We hypothesize that their venom peptides exert insecticidal activity which might be harnessed for pest control applications.

RESULTS

Based on our hypothesis, we conducted bioactivity profiling of linear venom peptides derived from Euscorpius italicus, one of the most common euscorpiid species. In silico analyses revealed them as neutral to cationaic alpha helical peptides with high hydrophobicity. Functionally, our established profiling pipeline that combines in vivo and in vitro bioassays, reveals that one of the tested linear venom peptides, Ei1, causes mortality in Drosophila suzukii postinjection, as well as signs of neuroparalysis. Furthermore, Ei1 exhibits inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, while also affecting MDCK II cells and equine erythrocytes, implying functions in host defense.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals insights on properties of Euscorpiidae venom, their ecological values for predation and defensive function against microbial colonization of the venom glands – revealing further knowledge to the growing biodiscovery of animal venoms and potential agricultural functions as a biological insecticide. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.


Pierry, M., Dersch, L., Krämer, J., Schulte, L., Avella, I., Kessel, T., Hardes, K., Marner, M., Grotmann, J., Seip, M., Schäberle, T. F., & Lüddecke, T. Bioactivity profiling of linear venom peptides from Italian small wood-scorpion (Euscorpius italicus). Pest Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.71416