Language
Country/Area
No result found
Unsolved Mystery: What Neurotoxins Lurk in Centipede Venom?
In the humid environments of East Asia lives a creature called the Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra mutilans), which can grow up to 20 centimeters in length. According to ancient Chinese tradition, this centipede is believed to have healing properties and is used to treat a variety of ailments. Ground dried centipedes are also used in traditional Korean medicine to relieve back pain and various skin conditions. However, the venom of this creature has been little studied, and in particular the properties of the neurotoxins it contains remain an unsolved mystery.
Centipede venomThere are many different chemical components in centipede venom, but our understanding of these components is still limited.
The venom of the Chinese red-headed centipede contains a small peptide toxin called RhTx, which can activate the TRPV1 ion channel, resulting in an intense local burning sensation. Studies have shown that its preliminary chemical composition is toxic in mice and promotes platelet aggregation. In addition, the study identified an additional 26 neurotoxins belonging to 10 different peptide groups, whose biological effects have not yet been revealed. It is worth noting that Chinese scientists discovered in 2018 that retigabine, a drug used to treat epilepsy, can serve as an antidote for centipede pain poison.
Features of the Venom System
The anatomy of the centipede's venom gland remains poorly understood, with initial studies showing that the structure of the venom gland is quite specific. These venom glands are composed of multiple epithelial secretory units, and it is hypothesized that contraction and flexion of these glands during venom release would aid in the injection of venom. The diversity and different functions of centipede venom may mean that its structure is significantly different from the venom systems of other arthropods. Centipedes have unique neurotoxin structures that can act on a variety of different biological systems.
Studies have shown that centipede venoms have a higher biochemical diversity, making them potentially useful in drug development.
Behavioral characteristics
As predators, centipedes use their venom to capture and paralyze prey. The study noted that centipedes are relatively selective in their capture, often attacking the head or thorax of their prey first to increase the effectiveness of their venom. Additionally, centipedes display a variety of defensive behaviors when attacked, being able to use their forelimbs to fight back or adopting display postures to intimidate their enemies.
Human Uses
Chinese red-headed centipede has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Its effectiveness against arthritis, epilepsy and a variety of other ailments has made it an important ingredient in medicine in places like China and South Korea. Studies have shown that centipede extracts have a significant inhibitory effect on cancer cells, especially liver cancer cells (HepG2). Polysaccharide-protein complexes extracted from the centipede were found to enhance the host's immune response and prolong the survival of cancer-bearing mice.
Significance of the Study
Centipedes are being studied not only for therapeutic purposes but also for their potential antibacterial properties. A variety of antimicrobial peptides have been found in the centipede's immune system, and these peptides have been shown to be effective in fighting bacteria and fungi. For example, Scoopendrasin VII is able to activate specific immune responses and stimulate the chemotactic movement of macrophages. In addition, nutritional analysis of centipedes showed that this creature is rich in protein and known essential amino acids, and has the potential to be used as a raw material for food and medicine.
Centipede venom and its components contain many mysteries that have yet to be revealed. How will the future application of these components affect the development of medicine and the advancement of biotechnology?
