https://brill.com/downloadpdf/journals/amre/29/2/article-p293_18.pdf

Snakes of Arabia

Acute toxicity, biochemical toxicity and genotoxicity caused by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in zebrafish (Danio rerio) livers

Scorpion venom contains various types of proteins and peptides that are able to act as inhibitors of neurotransmitter molecules. This is achieved primarily via the inhibition of ion channels. In addition, scorpion venom has been demonstrated to exhibit anticancer properties in prostate and breast cancer, as well as leukemia. The anticancer properties of scorpion venom are due to its inhibitory effect on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which leads to reduced motility and invasion in tumor cells. The inhibitory effects of venom on MMPs additionally lead to a reduction in the metastatic potential of malignant tumors. In the present study, the effect of venom obtained from a local serpentarium facility was examined in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Cell motility and clonogenic survival assays revealed a significant decrease (60-90%) in cell motility and colony formation, two significant hallmarks of cancer survival, following treatment with various concentrations of venom. These results were in agreement with previous studies demonstrating the anticancer activity of scorpion venom. In conclusion, the venom utilized at the Research Center of Prince Sultan Military Medical City Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) possesses significant anticancer potential against colorectal and breast cancer cell lines.

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In vitro analysis of the anticancer properties of scorpion venom in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines.

In the present study, two common buthid scorpions, i.e., Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) and Hottentota tamulus (Fabricus, 1798) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), were maintained in the laboratory for venom recovery. The aim of study was to compare the quantity and quality of venom extracted from scorpions by manual and electrical method. We also recorded the effect of diet and temperature on venom production. Results of our study revealed that electrical method yielded good quality and higher quantity of venom as compared to manual method. The quantity of venom by two studied species differed statistically. We recorded the effect of food on venom production by providing different prey items to the scorpions and found that grasshopper nymphs and adults were the best diet for the scorpions to get maximum yield of venom as compared to other prey types (house crickets, house flies, and moths). Production of venom and activity of scorpions was found to be associated with temperature. During winter season, venom recovery was comparatively low as compared to the hottest part of year; when venom milking and activity of scorpions both were increased.

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Effect of Milking Method, Diet, and Temperature on Venom Production in Scorpions.

Protective effects of a natural herbal compound quercetin against snake venom-induced hepatic and renal toxicities in rats.

The effects of Echis pyramidum venom (EPV) (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mg/kg) on activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total thiols (T-SH) in liver and kidneys of rats were investigated. EPV significantly and dose dependently decreased the activities of SOD and CAT in livers. Although the kidney SOD and CAT activities were not affected by low and medium doses of EPV, the high dose significantly reduced the activities of these enzymes. Liver and kidney TBARS levels were not affected by the low and medium doses of EPV, whereas the high dose significantly increased the TBARS after 6 h postdosing. There was a significant depletion of T-SH in liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a high dose of EPV. The acute phase oxidative stress due to an EPV injection points toward the importance of an early antioxidant therapy for the management of snake bites.

Effects of Echis pyramidum snake venom on hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rats.

Echis pyramidum is a venomous viper responsible for most cases of envenomation in Arabian Peninsula. We determined the acute phase (3-6 h) changes in serum markers of liver function including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and bilirubin in adult male Sprague Dawley rats injected with Echis pyramidum venom (EPV) in the doses of 0.00 (control), 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mg/kg bodyweight. We also analyzed markers of oxidative stress including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total thiols (T-SH) and thiobarbituric acids reactive substances (TBARS) in liver. The results showed significant and dose- and time-dependent increases in serum ALT, ALP and GGT activities after a single injection of EPV. Serum bilirubin was significantly increased by medium and high doses of EVP after 3 h post-injection and then decreased at 6 h. The low dose of EPV neither affected the activity of SOD nor altered the levels of liver T-SH and TBARS, however, it significantly decreased the activity of CAT at 6 h post-injection of EPV. The medium dose of EPV significantly reduced liver SOD activity after 6 h whereas the high dose significantly reduced the SOD activity at 3 h and 6 h post-dosing. Both medium and high doses of EPV caused significant as well as dose- and time-dependent reductions in liver CAT activities. The high dose significantly reduced T-SH and increased TBARS in rat liver. Further studies are warranted to test the pharmacological potential of early phase antioxidant therapy for neutralizing the toxic effects of EPV.

Serum biomarkers for acute hepatotoxicity of Echis pyramidum snake venom in rats.

Snake bite is crucial medical emergency while the success of immediate care and anti-venom therapy mainly depend on the correct identification of culprit snake. We present a simple method for identification of six snake species including Echiscoloratus, Echispyramidum, Cerastescerastesgaspreti, Bitisarieatans, Najahaje Arabica, andWalterinnesiaaegyptia, using the gel filtration chromatographic profiles of their venoms. The chromatograms of venoms from different snake species showed peculiar patterns based on the number and location of peaks.Our findings suggest that chromatographic profiles of snake venoms provide a simple and reproducible chemical fingerprinting method for quick identification of snake species.

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Chemical fingerprinting of Saudi Arabian snake venoms using gel filtrationchromatography.

Identification and phylogeny of Arabian snakes: Comparison of venom chromatographic profiles versus 16S rRNA gene sequences.

Snake bite is crucial medical emergency while the s uccess of immediate care and anti-venom therapy mainly depend on the correct identification of culprit snake. We present a simple method for identification of six snake species incl uding Echiscoloratus, Echispyramidum, Cerastescerastesgaspreti, Bitisarieatans, Najahaje Ara bica, and Walterinnesiaaegyptia , using the gel filtration chromatographic profiles of their venoms . The chromatograms of venoms from different snake species showed peculiar patterns based on the number and location of peaks.Our findings suggest that chromatographic profiles of snake venoms provide a simple and reproducible chemical fingerprinting method for quick identification of snake species.

Abdulrahman Al Asmari

Papers

Effects of Echis pyramidum snake venom on hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rats.

Serum biomarkers for acute hepatotoxicity of Echis pyramidum snake venom in rats.

Chemical fingerprinting of Saudi Arabian snake venoms using gel filtrationchromatography.

Identification and phylogeny of Arabian snakes: Comparison of venom chromatographic profiles versus 16S rRNA gene sequences.

Short Communication Chemical fingerprinting of Saudi Arabian snake venoms using gel filtra- tionchromatography.