The Effect of Various Fractions of Hemiscorpius lepturus Scorpion (Scorpionida: Hemiscorpiidae) Venom on Hemostatic System in Peripheral Blood of Rats in Comparison to Whole Venom

Abstract

Background: Hemiscorpius lepturus is the most critical scorpion in Khuzestan, Iran, responsible for the majority of deaths caused by scorpion stings. Objectives: This prospective randomized experimental study was performed from June to August 2019 to investigate the effects of various venom fractions on the hemostatic system. Methods: Lyophilized venom of H. lepturus was separated into six fractions by Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography. A total of 96 Albino male rats were treated in eight equal groups; Control: 0.5 ml normal saline (IP); Whole venom group: H. lepturus Lyophilized venom, one mg/kg, IP; F1-F6 groups: Isolated venom fraction 1-6, 0.12 mg/kg, 0.43 mg/kg, 0.08 mg/kg, 0.18 mg/kg, 0.06 mg/kg and 0.13 mg/kg, IP, respectively. Blood sampling was performed at 1, 3, and 24 hours after injection. Results: Plasma fibrinogen was significantly elevated in the whole venom group, while it was significantly decreased in F3, F5, and F6 groups compared to the control group. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assessment revealed that there was a significant prolongation of both tests in whole venom and fraction 5 and 6 receiving groups while fraction 2 only caused a significant PT extension, compared to the control group. Conversely, fraction 3 and 4 resulted in PT and APTT in comparison to the control group. The concentration of FDP and D-dimer was significantly increased in whole venom and F2 group compared to the control group at all sampling times. Conclusions: It seems that H. lepturus venom has both procoagulant and anticoagulant properties which are distinct characteristics of it. Further purification and sequencing of the amino acids in the fraction of peptides can lead to a more precise identification of the mechanisms of venom-induced coagulopathies.

Scorpion Venom as a Source of Antimicrobial Peptides: Overview of Biomolecule Separation, Analysis and Characterization Methods

“…The purified peptide was later subjected to Edman degradation, followed by a MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis to determine the primary structure and molecular mass [ 55 ]. SEC can also be applied as a single separation method, allowing the collection of different protein fractions, as shown in the case of components altering coagulation parameters from the venom of Hemiscorpius lepturus , or exhibiting antimicrobial activities as in the case of Androctonus australis [ 56 , 57 ].…”

Whole transcriptome sequencing reveals the activity of the PLA2 family members in Androctonus crassicauda (Scorpionida: Buthidae) venom gland

“…Among the most venomous species of scorpions from the Buthidae family, there are reports of death due to the sting of the Androctonus crassicauda 1,2 . The A. crassicauda is a widespread species of scorpion in the Middle East with many documents of stinging and severe intoxication in the victim by this scorpion 1,3–5 . Scorpion venom is a rich source of biological molecules with enzymatic and non‐enzymatic properties that can disrupt the host's physiological activity during the scorpion bite envenoming 6,7 .…”

“…1,2 The A. crassicauda is a widespread species of scorpion in the Middle East with many documents of stinging and severe intoxication in the victim by this scorpion. 1,[3][4][5] Scorpion venom is a rich source of biological molecules with enzymatic and nonenzymatic properties that can disrupt the host's physiological activity during the scorpion bite envenoming. 6,7 Among the enzymatic compounds, phospholipase activity of the venom of venomous species is responsible for significant toxic effects such as cytotoxicity and myotoxicity.…”