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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]

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]

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]

The venom of two dominant species of wolf spiders, Pardosa sumatrana Thorell and Pardosa birmanica Simon, was extracted and characterized. Insecticidal potential of crude venom and selected peptide fractions (i.e. 35-kDa fraction of both spiders) was evaluated in the laboratory using Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus) (Homoptera: Aphididae) as a model pest. Results of the study showed that both the crude venom and the protein fractions caused significantly higher mortality in treated aphids compared to the control. It is concluded that both the crude venom and the protein fractions possess insecticidal potential. [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]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]