Chlorotoxin is a small 36 amino-acid peptide identified from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus
quinquestriatus. Initially, chlorotoxin was used as a pharmacological tool to characterize chloride
channels. While studying glioma-specific chloride currents, it was soon discovered that chlorotoxin
possesses targeting properties towards cancer cells including glioma, melanoma, small cell lung
carcinoma, neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. It is rich in neurotoxins, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors,
histamine, lipids and different salts from which peptides demonstrate a great potential against a variety
of diseases. Therefore, it is motivating to use these properties for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, AIDS, apoplexy, influenza H5N1, paralysis, epilepsy, malaria, measles, severe
combined immunodeficiency, fever blisters and diabetes. Scorpion venom has shown the presence of
100,000 bioactive compounds but only 1 % of these have been purified, isolated and characterized by HPLC and mass spectroscopy etc. For the production of high-quality antivenom with specific
antibodies, gentler electrical stimulation is a better method as compared to manual production.
Recombinant DNA technology has facilitated the identification of new components. Some important
medicinal compounds isolated from scorpion venom include HsTX1 (from Heterometrus spinnifer),
mucroporin-M1 (from Lychas mucronatus), chlorotoxin and charybdotoxin (from Leiurus
quinquestriatus hebraeus). B. leptochelys venom has shown the presence of at least 148 components.
Six novel long-chain peptides were isolated from the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch venom. Abdullah
bayrami displays a proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells and also shows antimicrobial potential. A new
toxin derived from the venom of Liocheles waigiensis [U1-liotoxin-Lw1a (U1-LITX-Lw1a)] displays
significant insecticidal action.
Keywords: Scorpion venom, Toxins, Cell channels, Disease treatment, Drug formation
Publication date: 01/09/2023
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2023/September/MS_IJBPAS_2023_7438.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2023/12.9.7438
