Neuroactive compounds obtained from arthropod venoms as new therapeutic platforms for the treatment of neurological disorders

Abstract

The impact of neurological disorders in society is growing with alarming estimations for an incidence increase in the next decades. These disorders are generally chronic and can affect individuals early during productive life, imposing real limitations on the performance of their social roles. Patients can have their independence, autonomy, freedom, self-image, and self-confidence affected. In spite of their availability, drugs for the treatment of these disorders are commonly associated with side effects, which can vary in frequency and severity. Currently, no effective cure is known. Nowadays, the biopharmaceutical research community widely recognizes arthropod venoms as a rich source of bioactive compounds, providing a plethora of possibilities for the discovery of new neuroactive compounds, opening up novel and attractive opportunities in this field. Several identified molecules with a neuropharmacological profile can act in the central nervous system on different neuronal targets, rendering them useful tools for the study of neurological disorders. In this context, this review aims to describe the current main compounds extracted from arthropod venoms for the treatment of five major existing neurological disorders: stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and pathological anxiety.

Exploring the global animal biodiversity in the search for new drugs – Spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, centipedes, and millipedes

“…A few examples are ingredients in spider and scorpion venoms for treating cardiac arrhythmia, central nervous system degenerative diseases, asthma, and strokes [194,[255][256][257][258][259][260]. Some of these substances may also lead to important industrial applications.…”

Fraternine, a Novel Wasp Peptide, Protects against Motor Impairments in 6-OHDA Model of Parkinsonism

“…The venom of Epiponini social wasps is typically composed of four kinds of peptides: wasp kinins, chemotactic peptides, mastoparans and other peptides [ 19 , 20 ]. Although the first three kinds are known toxic molecules, a number of peptides isolated from the venom of social wasps were found to exert a range of pharmacological effects, including: antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antiepileptic, showing a broad potential for therapeutic applicability [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Moreover, this knowledge of the potential pharmacological aspects of these peptides will shed light on the study and development of new drug candidates for the treatment of neurological disorders, like PD.…”

Intravitreal injection of the synthetic peptide LyeTx I b, derived from a spider toxin, into the rabbit eye is safe and prevents neovascularization in a chorio-allantoic membrane model

“…Spider venoms and bioactive peptides contain diverse peptide toxins, which have attracted great attention as promising drug leads and excellent research tools in pharmacology and neurobiology [ 9 , 10 ]. Wolf spiders, or tarantulas, from the genus Lycosa are very common in urban areas in the southeastern region of Brazil.…”