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In the present study, two common buthid scorpions, i.e., Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) and Hottentota tamulus (Fabricus, 1798) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), were maintained in the laboratory for venom recovery. The aim of study was to compare the quantity and quality of venom extracted from scorpions by manual and electrical method. We also recorded the effect of diet and temperature on venom production. Results of our study revealed that electrical method yielded good quality and higher quantity of venom as compared to manual method. The quantity of venom by two studied species differed statistically. We recorded the effect of food on venom production by providing different prey items to the scorpions and found that grasshopper nymphs and adults were the best diet for the scorpions to get maximum yield of venom as compared to other prey types (house crickets, house flies, and moths). Production of venom and activity of scorpions was found to be associated with temperature. During winter season, venom recovery was comparatively low as compared to the hottest part of year; when venom milking and activity of scorpions both were increased.

Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius, 1798) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is among the most common venomous species of scorpions in Punjab, Pakistan. The venom of this species has high risk of morbidity and mortality. Several medicinal plants have been reported to have anti-scorpion venom potential. However, there is scarcity of scientific evidences that could prove the anti-scorpion venom potential of plant extracts. The aim of present study was to evaluate the anti-venom activity of four native plants extracts, i.e. Mangifera indica L., Achyranthes aspera L., Allium cepa L. and Ginkgo biloba L. using Swiss albino mice as model. The Methanolic/aqueous extracts of plants were mixed with LD99 of Hottenota tamulus and injected intraperitoneally. The response was recorded till 7th day of treatment. Moreover, hematological and serological analyses were performed after administration of LD50 and LD99 doses of venom. The extracts of A. aspera and A. cepa completely neutralized (100%) the effect of scorpion venom, but neutralization effect of G. biloba was comparatively less (83.3%). However, M. indica (leaves and flowers) did not neutralize the effect scorpion venom. The extracts of plants were analyzed by GC-MS for the compositional analysis. The major compounds found in A. aspera, A. cepa and G. biloba were Oleanolic acid, cyclopropane, Lupeol acetate, a cholesterol, palmitic acid and Stearic acid respectively. It is concluded that A. aspera and A. cepa completely neutralize the effect of venom and could be used in future to design anti-scorpion venom agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpionism (scorpion sting) is a major public health issue in many regions of the world. Globally, 1.2 million scorpion stings happen annually, specifically in the tropical regions. Mortality due to these venomous stings is serious health problem in absence of suitable medication. Awareness of this problem is fundamental for preventive measures. Scorpion venom is composed of water, mucosa, enzymes, free amino acids, biogenic amines, neurotoxins, low molecular weight peptides, and proteins having maximum molecular activities. Neurotoxins are potent and are highly selective ligands for voltage-gated sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium ion channels. Therefore, they depict interesting compounds for the development of novel drugs, for example, drugs for cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and analgesics. Scorpion venom has apoptogenic, cytotoxic, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative effects. Therefore, scorpion venom can be utilized against various cancers like glioma, leukemia, human neuroblastoma, brain tumor, melanoma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. This review explains the details of toxin receptor interactions and provides details about opportunities for the development of peptide-based therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion venom is being used for many biomedical applications. In the present study, venom components of Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897) were characterized. Venom was extracted using the electrical stimulation method and subjected to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for characterization of its components from which dominant fractions were collected and dried in a concentrator. Crude venom and selected fractions were further analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to obtain mass fingerprint data. Over 100 components ranging from 3,000 – 8,000 m/z in molecular masses were detected in the venom of both scorpion species. Some of them were analogous to a short chain and long chain toxins, which act on potassium and sodium ion channels, respectively. The venom components may be used for the development of novel drugs, e.g. drugs for neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, analgesics and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study the foraging activities of two common scorpions i.e., Hottentotta tumulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Odontobuthus odonturus (Pocock, 1897) of Sargodha Division, Punjab, Pakistan were recorded in both the laboratory and field. Six different prey types were collected from the field and subjected to choice and no choice feeding experiments in the laboratory. Feeding activities of both scorpion species were also recoded directly in the field. Both scorpion species consumed significantly higher number of flies i.e., Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) than other prey types (i.e., grasshopper nymphs, grasshopper adults, lycosid spiders, moths and house crickets) during no choice feeding experiment. However, in choice feeding experiment both scorpion species preferred grasshopper nymphs. Scorpions consumed only soft body parts of the larger sized prey but, consumed the whole body of small sized prey. Prey consumption of both scorpion species increased with temperature. However, consumption rate of studied species was found to be negatively correlated with the humidity level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was designed to test the effectiveness of different concentrations of crude venom of Odontobuthus odonturus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) against Rhopalosiphum erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Scorpions were collected from Sargodha district of Punjab (Pakistan) using portable ultra-violet (UV) lamps. The venom of the scorpions was collected in 1.5 ml plastic collection tubes and frozen at -20°C. The bioassay tests were performed against 0.5, 0.75 and 1 dose of scorpion venom in the laboratory. The percent mortality aftei 12 h was 68.3, 71.65 and 83.3 against 0.5, 0.75 and 1 pi concentrations, respectively. The mortality was significantly higher in the treated groups compared to the control. The LT50 and LT95 values were decreased as the venom concentrations were increased. The calculated LD50 and TD95 values for R. erysimi were 0.44 µ and 1.31 µ, respectively. It is concluded that venom of O. odonturus contains toxins which could be used as potential bio-pesticidc candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion envenomation is a widespread issue in tropical and subtropical countries. In the present study epidemiology of scorpion sting cases and potential treatment options in district Hafizabad, Pakistan are documented. Hafizabad city and the adjacent villages were selected for the data collection. Age, gender, time, site of scorpion sting on the body, scorpion sting symptoms, number of patients obtaining medical attention and the number of fatalities (if any) were noted. Data showed that scorpion envenomation often occurs in people between the ages of 16–47 years. There were more female victims (55%) and most of the scorpion sting incidences (55.49%) occurred between 07 PM and 02 AM Among body parts, both the hands (41.71%) and feet (48.57%) were more vulnerable to scorpion stings. In rural areas, the incidences of scorpion stings were higher (68.57%). The reported symptoms of scorpion stings include pain, hypertension, nausea and allergy. Out of all the victims, only 56.05% sought treatment from health care units as well as traditional medicine practitioners. However, others (43.94%) fully healed on their own without any treatment. People were using different types of plant-based materials and dead scorpions with mustard oil as a potent remedy against scorpion stings. Moreover, in the health care units there was no antivenom available and medical staff usually used common pain killers such as Xylocain and Lignocain for the treatment of scorpion sting. [Display omitted] • Epidemiology of scorpion sting cases in Hafizabad, Pakistan. • Most scorpion bite incidences in females (55%) and people of 35–47 years. • High rate of incidences in rural areas (68.57%). • Hands (41.71%) and feet (48.57%) were more vulnerable. • Potent remedy was plant-based materials and dead scorpions with mustard oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]