In vitro activity of Tityus metuendus and Brotheas amazonicus scorpion venoms against Plasmodium falciparum FRC3

Abstract

Scorpion venoms contain different classes of molecules with possible pharmacological activities, making them sources of bioactive molecules for the development of new drugs against infections caused by pathogens, such as malaria, a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Malaria faces challenges in its control due to pathogen resistance to available antimalarials. In this study, we evaluated the venom activity of the Amazonian scorpions and against FRC3, the analysis was performed by flow cytometry. At the analyzed concentrations, we found that the crude venom of had an average inhibition of 87% at the concentration of 100 µg/mL, above that obtained with the drug (quinine), which had mean inhibition of 84% against FCR3. Regarding the venom of , lower activity was observed in comparison with the inhibition potential of the venom and the standard drug, venom showed low toxicity against the human fibroblast MRC5. Because peptides and toxins from scorpion venom are related to biological functions, they can be used in the design of new therapeutic agents, with venom being a possible source of molecules for the development of antimalarial drugs.