Neurotoxic and cytotoxic effects of venom from different populations
2010
Neurotoxic and cytotoxic effects of venoms from Scorpio maurus palmatus taken from
different populations were assessed for geographic based variability in toxicity, and to
evaluate their insecticidal potency. Scorpions were collected from four regions. Three
locations were mutually isolated pockets in the arid area of Southern Sinai. The fourth
sample was collected from a population inhabiting the semi-arid environment of
Western Mediterranean Coastal Desert. The neurotoxic (paralytic) effect of the venom
from each population was assayed by its ability to induce permanent disability in adult
cockroaches within 3 h. Venom was applied using microinjection techniques through an
intersegmental membrane. Probit analysis was used to calculate the Paralytic Effective
Dose (PED50, ng/100 mg). Levels of glutathione, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl
content and nitric oxide, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and
cholinesterase, were measured to assess the cytotoxicity of the venom. The results show
that the injected venom from each population induced obvious spasticity, followed by
flaccid paralysis. All the tested biochemical parameters, except glutathione content,
revealed significant differences in toxicity in venom taken from the different scorpion
populations. We conclude that (i) the venom of this scorpion has significant neurotoxic
and cytotoxic effects on insect cells, (ii) its efficacy, as assessed by the PED50 unit,
exhibited variation across its geographic range, and (iii) components in the venom may
have the potential for being developed into effective and environmentally friendly
bioinsecticides.
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