Scorpion bite represents a significant and serious public health problem in certain regions of Brazil, as well as in other parts of the world. Inflammatory mediators are thought to be involved in the systemic and local immune response induced by Tityus serrulatus scorpion envenomation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora on model envenomation. In mi...

Three new toxins from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus var. hebraeus have been identified on the basis of their ability to block the Shaker K+ channel. These toxins have been purified using HPLC techniques and characterized as 38 amino acid peptides by mass spectroscopy, amino acid analysis, and sequence determination. Their chemical identity was confirmed by producing fully fu...

Activation of the inflammatory response with the release and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines is among the factors thought to be important in the pathogenesis of many deleterious inflammatory effects seen in case of scorpion envenomation. The released inflammatory mediators interact in the body with a large number of proteins and receptors; this interaction determines the eventual infla...

BACKGROUND Scorpion antivenom (SAV) is specific antidote to scorpion venom..SAV did not prevent the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (autonomic storm), hence its utility in the management for severe scorpion envenomingmay be limited. Since 1983 the advent of prazosin revolutionized the management of severe scorpion sting. Since 2002 SAV against Indian red scorpion (IRS) for the treatment ...

  Introduction: Iranian scorpion species are classified in Buthidae and Scorpionidae with 16 genera and 25 species. In Iran, similar to other parts of the world, there are a few known species of scorpions responsible for severe envenoming. Mesobuthus eupeus is the most common species in Iran. Its venom contains several toxin fractions which can affect the ion...

Background: Scorpion stings are responsible for many deaths in humans; however, the toxicity mechanisms of the venoms from many species are not well studied. We investigated the cardiotoxicity of the crude venom from H. lepturus scorpion and its isolated fractions, F-I to F-VI. Methods: The scorpion’s venom was extracted into six fractions by chromotagraphy. Healthy male Wistar rats (N=72) wer...

We have examined the effects of venom from the scorpion Pandinus imperator on the membrane currents of voltage-clamped frog myelinated nerve fibers using the Vaseline-gap method. Crude venom, applied externally in concentrations from 50 to 500 micrograms/ml, selectively blocked the voltage-gated potassium currents without affecting nodal sodium currents or resting conductances. Block of potassi...

Scorpion venom heat-resistant peptide (SVHRP) is a component purified from Buthus martensii Karsch scorpion venom. Although scorpions and their venom have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat chronic neurological disorders, the underlying mechanisms of these treatments remain unknown. We applied SVHRP in vitro and in vivo to understand its effects on the neurogenesis and mat...