Vidatox 30 CH has tumor activating effect in hepatocellular carcinoma

Antimicrobial Activity Developed by Scorpion Venoms and Its Peptide Component

Microbial infections represent a problem of great importance at the public health level, with a high rate of morbidity-mortality worldwide. However, treating the different diseases generated by microorganisms requires a gradual increase in acquired resistance when applying or using them against various antibiotic therapies. Resistance is caused by various molecular mechanisms of microorganisms, thus reducing their effectiveness. Consequently, there is a need to search for new opportunities through natural sources with antimicrobial activity. One alternative is using peptides present in different scorpion venoms, specifically from the Buthidae family. Different peptides with biological activity in microorganisms have been characterized as preventing their growth or inhibiting their replication. Therefore, they represent an alternative to be used in the design and development of new-generation antimicrobial drugs in different types of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Essential aspects for its disclosure, as shown in this review, are the studies carried out on different types of peptides in scorpion venoms with activity against pathogenic microorganisms, highlighting their high therapeutic potential.

Cytotoxic Effects of Blue Scorpion Venom (Rhopalurus junceus) in a Glioblastoma Cell Line Model

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the leading cause of death worldwide. Besides current therapies and treatments to counter cancer, new alternatives are required to diminish the cell proliferation of oncogenic processes.

METHODS

One of the most promissory therapy includes the use of blue scorpion venom as a specific cytotoxic agent to kill tumoral cells, including Glioblastoma multiforme.

OBJECTIVES

We show evidence of the cytotoxic effect of blue scorpion venom in a cellular model of Glioblastoma multiforme.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that 50 μg/ml of scorpion venom is capable to diminish the viability of Glioblastoma populations.

CONCLUSION

It is possible that the action mechanism could be associated with a loss of membrane integrity. Additionally, some metalloproteinases as MMP2 and MMP9 may also participate in the potential action mechanism.

Therapeutic Anticancer Uses of the Active Principles of "Rhopalurus junceus" Venom

The Rhopalurus junceus is a scorpion belonging to the Buthidae family that finds its habitat in Cuba. This scorpion is known by the common name of "Blue Scorpion". The venom is used on the island of Cuba as an alternative cure for cancer and, more recently, in the research of active components for biomedicine. Recently, the venom has been tested in several studies to investigate its effects on cancer cell lines, and the initial results of in vitro studies demonstrated how this poison can be effective on certain carcinoma cell lines (Hela, SiHa, Hep-2, NCI-H292, A549, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and HT-29). The aim of this review is, therefore, to describe the effects of the venom on carcinoma lines and to investigate all anti-cancer properties studied in the literature. The research was conducted using four databases, Pub Med, Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science, through the use of keywords, by two independent reviewers following the PRISMA protocol, identifying 57 records. The results led to a total of 13 articles that met the eligibility criteria. The data extracted for the purpose of meta-analysis included the IC₅₀ of the venom on carcinoma cell lines. The results of the meta-analysis provided a pooled mean of the IC₅₀ of 0.645 mg/mL (95% CI: 0.557, 0.733), with a standard error (SE) = 0.045, p < 0.001. The analysis of the subgroups, differentiated by the type of cell line used, provided insight regarding how the scorpion venom was effective on the cell lines of lung origin (NCI-H292, A549, and MRC-5) with a pooled mean of IC50 0.460 mg/mL (95% CI: 0.290, 0.631) SE (0.087) p < 0.001. The results described in the literature for in vitro studies are encouraging, and further investigations should be carried out and deepened.

Transcriptome analysis of Catarina scallop (Argopecten ventricosus) juveniles treated with highly-diluted immunomodulatory compounds reveals activation of non-self-recognition system

Marine bivalve hatchery productivity is continuously challenged by apparition and propagation of new diseases, mainly those related to vibriosis. Disinfectants and antibiotics are frequently overused to prevent pathogen presence, generating a potential negative impact on the environment. Recently, the use of highly diluted compounds with immunostimulant properties in marine organisms has been trailed successfully to activate the self-protection mechanisms of marine bivalves. Despite their potential as immunostimulants, little is known about their way of action. To understand their effect, a comparative transcriptomic analysis was performed with Argopecten ventricosus juveniles. The experimental design consisted of four treatments formulated from pathogenic Vibrio lysates at two dilutions: [(T1) Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus 1D; (T2) V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus 7C]; minerals [(T3) PhA+SiT 7C], scorpion venom [(T4) ViT 31C]; and one control (C1) hydro-alcoholic solution (ethanol 1%). The RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis showed a higher modulation of differentially expressed genes (DEG) in mantle tissue compared to gill tissue. The scallops that showed a higher number of DEG related to immune response in mantle tissue corresponded to T1 (V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus lysate) and T3 (Silicea terra® - Phosphoric acid®). The transcriptome analysis allowed understanding some interactions between A. ventricosus juveniles and highly-diluted treatments.

Scorpion Venom: Detriments and Benefits

Scorpion venom may cause severe medical complications and untimely death if injected into the human body. Neurotoxins are the main components of scorpion venom that are known to be responsible for the pathological manifestations of envenoming. Besides neurotoxins, a wide range of other bioactive molecules can be found in scorpion venoms. Advances in separation, characterization, and biotechnological approaches have enabled not only the development of more effective treatments against scorpion envenomings, but have also led to the discovery of several scorpion venom peptides with interesting therapeutic properties. Thus, scorpion venom may not only be a medical threat to human health, but could prove to be a valuable source of bioactive molecules that may serve as leads for the development of new therapies against current and emerging diseases. This review presents both the detrimental and beneficial properties of scorpion venom toxins and discusses the newest advances within the development of novel therapies against scorpion envenoming and the therapeutic perspectives for scorpion toxins in drug discovery.

Scorpion Venom: New Promise in the Treatment of Cancer

Cancer is a public health problem due to its high worldwide morbimortality. Current treatment protocols do not guarantee complete remission, which has prompted to search for new and more effective antitumoral compounds. Several substances exhibiting cytostatic and cytotoxic effects over cancer cells might contribute to the treatment of this pathology. Some studies indicate the presence of such substances in scorpion venom. In this review, we report characteristics of the principal scorpion venom components found in recent literature and their potential activity against tumor cells.  There are different toxin groups present in the venom, and it seems that their mode of actions involves ionic channel blocking, disruption of the cell membrane integrity and damage to internal cell organelles.  These properties make good prospects for studies on drugs and adjuvants in cancer treatment.

LncRNAs as novel players in hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are ncRNAs more than 200 nucleotides long that participate to a wide range of biological functions. However, their role in cancer is poorly known. By using an NGS-based approach we analyzed the intragenic and poliA-lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and we assayed the relationships between their deregulated expression and clinical-pathological characteristics. The expression profile of lncRNAs was studied in a discovery series of 28 HCC and matched cirrhosis and was validated in an independent cohort of 32 HCC patients both in tissue and serum. The correlation between lncRNA expression and clinical-pathological variables, EMT markers and putative sponged microRNAs level were investigated. Functional experiments were performed in HCC-derived cell lines to clarify the role of selected lncRNAs in HCC. A panel of deregulated lncRNAs differentiated HCC from cirrhotic tissue. CASC9 and LUCAT1 were up-regulated in a subset of HCC-derived cell lines and in half of HCCs which displayed a lower recurrence after surgery. LUCAT1 and CASC9 silencing increased cell motility and invasion capability in HCC cells and influenced the EMT phenotype. LUCAT1 was demonstrated to directly sponge the onco-miR-181d-5p. Both LUCAT1 and CASC9 were secreted in exosomes, and higher circulating CASC9 levels were associated with tumor size and HCC recurrence after surgery, suggesting its potential usage as putative non-invasive prognostic biomarker of recurrence.