A newly described scorpion species, Leiurus abdullahbayrami (Scorpion: Buthidae), and the lethal potency and in vivo effects of its venom

Ozkan O (1), Yagmur EA (2), Ark M (3)

(1) Refik Saydam Public Health Agency, Ankara, Turkey; (2) Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey; (3) Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.

Abstract: Currently, medically significant scorpion species belong to the Buthidae family and are represented by the genera Androctonus, Buthus, Mesobuthus, Hottentotta, Parabuthus, Tityus, Centruroides, Leiurus. Although Leiurus was originally considered a monotypic genus, four additional species have since been described. Leiurus abdullahbayrami (previously identified as L. quinquestriatus in Turkey) was classified as a new Leiurus species. This is the first report conducted on the lethality and biologic effects of L. abdullahbayrami scorpion venom in mice. In this study, the electrophoretic protein pattern of its venom was also determined. Two protein bands with molecular masses of 4 and 6 kDa were more strongly detected than other protein bands in the venom sample. Electrophoresis showed that L. abdullahbayrami scorpion venom possesses both short- and long-chain neurotoxins. The median lethal dose of this venom was found to be 0.19 mg/kg by subcutaneous (SC) injection in mice. Animals experimentally envenomed with L. abdullahbayrami venom exhibited hyperexcitability, agitation, aggressive behavior, squeaking and fighting, tachypnea, weakness, convulsions, and death due to cardiac and respiratory failure. In further studies, the potency of antivenom should be investigated in relation to the scorpion venom. Molecular and pharmacological studies are also required to identify and characterize L. abdullahbayrami scorpion venom.

Key words: scorpions, Leiurus spp., scorpion venom, lethality, in vivo effects.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was supported by Refik Saydam Public Health Agency of Health Ministry, Ankara, Turkey. We wish to thank Juliana Simionato for her valuable comments on this manuscript. We also thank Mehmet Özkörük for his help in field trips.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: February 28, 2011.

Accepted: June 13, 2011.

Abstract published online: June 17, 2011.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The present study was supported by Refik Saydam Public Health Agency, Ankara, Turkey.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Refik Saydam Public Health Agency (under protocol number 2009/3).

CORRESPONDENCE TO

OZCAN OZKAN, Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, 06100, Ankara, Turkey. Phone: 00 90 312 498 2150. Email: ozcanozkan_62@hotmail.com.