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. 2016 Sep 6:7:16-20.
eCollection 2016.

Elemental analysis of scorpion venoms

AbdulRahman K Al-Asmari  1 , Faisal Kunnathodi  1 , Khalid Al Saadon  2 , Mohammed M Idris  1
Affiliations

Elemental analysis of scorpion venoms

AbdulRahman K Al-Asmari et al. J Venom Res. .

Abstract

Scorpion venom is a rich source of biomolecules, which can perturb physiological activity of the host on envenomation and may also have a therapeutic potential. Scorpion venoms produced by the columnar cells of venom gland are complex mixture of mucopolysaccharides, neurotoxic peptides and other components. This study was aimed at cataloguing the elemental composition of venoms obtained from medically important scorpions found in the Arabian peninsula. The global elemental composition of the crude venom obtained from Androctonus bicolor, Androctonus crassicauda and Leiurus quinquestriatus scorpions were estimated using ICP-MS analyzer. The study catalogued several chemical elements present in the scorpion venom using ICP-MS total quant analysis and quantitation of nine elements exclusively using appropriate standards. Fifteen chemical elements including sodium, potassium and calcium were found abundantly in the scorpion venom at PPM concentrations. Thirty six chemical elements of different mass ranges were detected in the venom at PPB level. Quantitative analysis of the venoms revealed copper to be the most abundant element in Androctonus sp. venom but at lower level in Leiurus quinquestriatus venom; whereas zinc and manganese was found at higher levels in Leiurus sp. venom but at lower level in Androctonus sp. venom. These data and the concentrations of other different elements present in the various venoms are likely to increase our understanding of the mechanisms of venom activity and their pharmacological potentials.

Keywords: Androctonus bicolor; Androctonus crassicauda and Leiurus quinquestriatus; Elements; ICP-MS; Scorpion; Venom.

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Conflict of interest statement

AKA, KA and MMI conceived and co-ordinated the study, FK and MMI performed the ICPMS experiments and analyzed the data. AKA, FK and MMI wrote the manuscript. All the authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript. None declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Pie chart distribution of various elements present in the scorpion venom. A. Androctonus bicolor, B. Androctonus crassicauda and C. Leiurus quinquestriatus, based on ICP-MS analysis. The distributions were presented for all the elements present in PPM and PPB ranges.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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