The action of red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus coconsis, pocock) venom and its isolated protein fractions on blood sodium levels

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus or Buthus tamulus) venom samples were collected at different regions of India: western (Chiplun and Ahmednagar from Maharashtra State) and southern (Ratnagiri and Chennai from Tamil Nadu State). The action of whole venoms on the blood sodium levels of mice was assessed using flame photometry. Seven peptides were common to all venom samples. They were separated using the native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique and their activities were also studied using flame photometry. There was a decrease in the concentration of sodium ions in the serum, which suggested the blockage of such ions by scorpion venom toxins. Among the 10 protein bands isolated, the band at 79.6 kDa presented maximum activity in decreasing serum sodium ions concentration. Whole venom from Chiplun region also showed maximum activity. The western blotting technique demonstrated that the anti-scorpion venom sera produced by Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd., India, neutralized all four venom samples.

Scorpion Venom Research Around the World: Indian Red Scorpion

“…Intraspecific variations have also been seen using SDS-PAGE, between the venoms of scorpions collected in Western India (Ratnagiri, Chiplun, and Ahmednagar), as distinct from those collected in Chennai, in the south of the country (Badhe et al 2006). The same authors have detected differences in the blood sodium levels of mice injected with these differently sourced venoms (Badhe et al 2007).…”

Scorpion Venoms

“…In Maharashtra state, the composition of H. tamulus venom varies, dependent on whether it is collected from scorpions found in the tropical Konkan coastal region as opposed to those found on the semiarid Deccan plateau, up to 600 m . The same authors have detected differences in the blood sodium levels of mice injected with these differently sourced venoms (Badhe et al 2007). Intraspecific variations have also been seen using SDS-PAGE, between the venoms of scorpions collected in Western India (Ratnagiri, Chiplun, and Ahmednagar), as distinct from those collected in Chennai, in the south of the country (Badhe et al 2006).…”

Biochemical and Proteomic Characterization, and Pharmacological Insights of Indian Red Scorpion Venom Toxins

“…Severe and sometimes fatal envenomations have been documented from stings by Buthidae, Hemiscorpiidae, and Scorpionidae families ( White, 2016 ) in Latin America, North Africa, the Middle East, and India ( Reddy, 2013 ). Currently, 86 scorpion species have been described throughout India; however, only the Indian red scorpion ( Mesobuthus tamulus ), which belongs to the family Buthidae, and the Indian black scorpion ( Heterometrus swammerdami , formerly Palamneus gravimanus ) of the Scorpionidae family, pose a significant threat to humans– primarily young children, elderly, and immuno-compromised individuals ( Tiwari and Deshpande, 1993 ; Badhe et al, 2007 ; Quintero-Hernandez et al, 2013 ; Reddy, 2013 ; Ortiz et al, 2015 ; Santos et al, 2016 ; Das et al, 2020 ). Limited clinical reports suggest that the venom of the Indian red scorpion exhibits higher toxicity compared to Indian black scorpion venom ( Erfati, 1978 ; Bawaskar and Bawaskar, 1998 ; Madhavan, 2015 ; Senthilvelan et al, 2015 ), and as a consequence, urgent medical attention may be required following a sting.…”

“…Intra-specific venom variation has also been demonstrated between Indian red scorpions from Western India (Ratnagiri, Chiplun, and Ahmednagar) and Southern India Chennai by sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) ( Badhe et al, 2006 ). Mice injected with equal concentrations of Indian red scorpion venom obtained from the above geographical regions showed significant variation in their blood sodium levels ( Badhe et al, 2007 ). While in-depth analyses of Indian red scorpion venoms from different areas of the Indian sub-continent are currently lacking, this data would help uncover the geographical impact onvenom composition.…”