Consequences of Mesobuthus tamulus gangeticus (Pocock, 1900) envenomation in albino mice

MK Chaubey (1)

(1) Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed at investigating the effects of Mesobuthus tamulus gangeticus Pocock (Buthidae) scorpion venom on albino mice (NIH strain). Whole venom was obtained by electrical stimulation and its toxicity was determined in albino mice by subcutaneous envenomation. The venom LD₅₀ was found to be 2.5 mg kg^-1 of mouse body weight. The toxic effects on different biochemical and enzymatic parameters in blood serum and other tissues of albino mice were determined after experimental envenomation with sublethal doses of M. tamulus gangeticus venom. An increase in the levels of glucose, uric acid and cholesterol as well as a decrease in serum total protein were observed 2 and 4 hours after the envenomation. In the liver and muscle, glycogen content dropped after venom injection. Moreover, M. tamulus gangeticus venom elevated the enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase (ACP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum of albino mouse. In conclusion, it can be stated that M. tamulus gangeticus is a lethal scorpion species.

KEY WORDS: Mesobuthus tamulus gangeticus, scorpion venom, hyperglycemia, serum enzymes

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

MUKESH KUMAR CHAUBEY, Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Gorakhpur, 273 001, UP, India. Email: chaubey.mukesh@rediffmail.com.