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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]

Due to industrial and urban sewage, the metal contaminations in aquatic and terrestrial environments are increasing day by day, especially in developing countries. Despite the study of several years, we are inert far away from an actual medication for prolonged toxicity of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium etc. Lead is one of the most common heavy metals that possess toxicological effects on numerous tissues of animals as well as humans. Several toxic effects of lead on reproductive organs, renal system, central nervous system, liver, lungs, blood parameters, and bones have been reported. On the other hand, several reports depicted that garlic is operative in declining the absorption of lead in bones as well as soft tissues. A combination of vitamin C and vitamin E enhances the biological recovery induced by lead and mobilize the heavy metal such as lead from intra-cellular positions. This review provides therapeutic approaches such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and extract of garlic to treat the detrimental effects caused after the exposure of lead. These therapeutic strategies are beneficial for both the prevention and alleviation of lead noxiousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion envenomation represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries. Odontobuthus odonturus is a medically important scorpion that inhibits sandy areas. In the present study we evaluated the in-vivo toxic effects of O. odonturus venom on male albino mice. Scorpions were collected from undisturbed sandy areas of district Sargodha (Punjab), Pakistan. We extracted the venom and injected intraperitoneally into healthy albino mice. Haemato-pathological effects of the venom were studied on different blood parameters i.e., total leucocyte count (TLC), neutrophil count, RBC's count and platelet count, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes. The venom of O. odonturus caused drastic change in blood physiology of treated animals. We observed a significant decrease in RBC's, platelets and lymphocyts of treated animals. However, treated animals showed marked increased in neutrophils, hemoglobin and TLC count. There was no difference in the count of monocytes and eosinophils between treated and control animals. It is concluded from the study that venom of O. odonturus is potentially harmful to mammals as it badly affects the blood physiology which may ultimately leads towards many disorders in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of Confidor and Buctril-M on two dominant spiders of wheat ecosystem of Punjab, Pakistan i.e., Lycosa terrestris Butt, Anwar & Tahir, 2006 and Oxyopes javanus Thorell, 1887. Residual toxicity of pesticides on these spiders in the laboratory and in the fields was also studied. Buctril-M was found less toxic compared to Confidor for both species. Mortality of both spider species declined with the increase of post sprayed time for both pesticides. Altogether we captured 2260 individuals of L. terrestris (707 from treated field and 1553 from control field) -. Similarly, in total of 637 individuals of Oxyopes javanus were collected (212 from treated and 425 from control) from the studied plots. It is concluded that toxicity of Confidor is higher than Buctril-M. Moverover, Confodor remains active for longer time in the field compared to Buctril-M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to record the effect of λ-cyhalothrin, Bifenthrin, and Glyphosate on the mortality, avoidance behavior, foraging activity, and activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and Carboxylesterase (CarE) in Neoscona theisi (Walckenaer, 1841). Highest mortality (70%) in N. theisi was recorded against λ-cyhalothrin. However, Glyphosate was found to be least toxic. Spider spent less time on insecticides/herbicide-treated surfaces. Insecticides/herbicide-treated N. theisi consumed less prey than untreated control spiders. Similarly, when N. theisi were offered insecticide/herbicide-treated prey, they consumed significantly less. Increased AChE and CarE activities were recorded in insecticides/herbicide-treated spiders as compared to control group. Total protein contents were less in insecticides/herbicide-treated spiders than control group. The results revealed that λ-cyhalothrin is more harmful to spiders as compared to Bifenthrin and Glyphosate. It is suggested that the effect of all pesticides used in agro-ecosystem on beneficial insects should be evaluated before using them in the fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]