Moulay Abdelmonaim El Hidan

Behavioral, histopathological and biochemical impairments observed in mice envenomed by the scorpion: Hottentota gentili (Pallary, 1924).

Hottentota gentili is a black scorpion which has been considered as dangerous specie by many authors. However there are no data regarding minimal lethal dose and effects of the scorpion venom till now. We therefore aimed, by the present investigation, to assess on the one hand, the LD50 of H. gentili venom by sublethal injection and the effects on some vital organs, by a histological and a biochemical tools. On the other hand, the possible neurobehavioral impairments, in Swiss mice, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h following envenomation. The LD50 of H. gentili scorpion venom was found to be 0.46 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection route. Venom produced focal fragmentation of myocardial fibers, while lungs showed rupture of the alveolar structure. Intestines showed selective histopathological changes. Concomitantly, there was a significant rise in the serum enzymes levels, as well as hyperkalemia and a high level of plasma albumine and creatine. Proteinuria was also observed. The observed behavioral effects were a hypoactivity in the both experiments 30 min and 3 h after injection. The envenomation produced an increased immobility time only 30 min and 3 h post injection in the tail suspension test (TST).

Pathophysiological and neurobehavioral injuries in mice experimentally envenomed with Androctonus liouvillei (Pallary, 1928) scorpion venom.

The genus Androctonus is represented by 7 scorpion species in Morocco. All studies conducted on the characterization of Androctonus species venom are limited to Androctonus mauritanicus. However, there is other species which arouses also interest of scientists due to their high toxicity. Thus, we chose to assess the toxic effect of Androctonus liouvillei venom by sublethal injection and the effects on some vital organs, by a histological and a biochemical tools. In addition, we aimed to characterize the neurobehavioral impairments, in Swiss mice, 3h, 6h and 12h following envenomation. The LD50 of A. liouvillei scorpion venom was found to be 0.29mg/kg by subcutaneous injection route. Venom administration induced glomerular destruction and disorganization in the Bowmans spac. Examination of lungs showed a remarkable focal rupture of the alveolar structure and intra-alveolar hemorrhage. Concurrently, there was a significant enhancement in the serum enzymes levels of AST, ALT, CPK and LDH, and a high level of glucose and creatinine. Proteinuria was also observed. Regarding the behavioral effects we noted a hypoactivity and anxiogenic-like effect, manifested by an increased time spent in the open arms in groups tested 30min and 12h after the injection. Concomitantly with an increased immobility time in the tail suspension test. The present finding show an obvious profound neuromodulatory effect of A. liouvillei venom manifested by an impaired neurobehavioral and physiological patterns in mice that may in part explain the toxic effect of the venom in human as one of the potent death agents.

Androctonus genus species in arid regions: Ecological niche models, geographical distributions, and envenomation risk

Aim: The objective of this study was to establish environmental factors related to scorpion species occurrence and their current potential geographic distributions in Morocco, to produce a current envenomation risk map and also to assess the human population at risk of envenomation. Materials and Methods: In this study, 71 georeferenced points for all scorpion species and nine environmental indicators were used to generate species distribution models in Maxent (maximum entropy modeling of species geographic distributions) version 3.3.3k. The models were evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC), using the omission error and the binomial probability. With the data generated by Maxent, distribution and envenomation risk maps were produced using the “ESRI® ArcGIS 10.2.2 for Desktop” software. Results: The models had high predictive success (AUC >0.95±0.025). Altitude, slope and five bioclimatic attributes were found to play a significant role in determining Androctonus scorpion species distribution. Ecological niche models (ENMs) showed high concordance with the known distribution of the species. Produced risk map identified broad risk areas for Androctonus scorpion envenomation, extending along Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Souss-Massa-Draa, and some areas of Doukkala-Abda and Oriental regions. Conclusion: Considering these findings ENMs could be useful to afford important information on distributions of medically important scorpion species as well as producing scorpion envenomation risk maps.

Buthus lienhardi venom and pathophysiological effects at the histological, hematological, biochemical and motor skills levels

&NA; The present study investigated the toxic effects of B. lienhardi venom, at the histological, hematological, biochemical and motor skill levels following a subcutaneous injection of different doses of venom. The LD50 of B. lienhardi scorpion venom was found to be 0.27 mg/Kg by subcutaneous injection route. The results clearly indicate that B. lienhardi venom induces massive tissue damages in the organs, such as lungs, heart, kidneys and liver together with hematological impairments manifested by decreased levels of both red and white series. We further demonstrated that scorpion venom is able to alter motor system by inducing motor incoordination and reducing muscle strength. The overall results confirm that the venom from B. lienhardi primarily is a highly toxic agent and has cardiotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and pneumotoxic activity. HighlightsThe LD50 of Buthus lienhardi scorpion venom was found to be 0.27 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection route.B. lienhardi venom induces histopathological impairment in pivotal organs.B. lienhardi venom induces a significant rise in the enzymatic functional markers of tissues alteration.B. lienhardi produces hematological changes manifested by decreased levels of both red and white series.B. lienhardi venom induces alteration in motor coordination.

Anti-scorpion venom activity of Thapsia garganica methanolic extract: Histopathological and biochemical evidences

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Thapsia garganica, is a herbal medicine traditionally used as diuretic, emetic and purgative. It is also used as anti-scorpion venom in Morocco; however, its protective effects against scorpion venom remain elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-venom activity of T. garganica in vivo through histological and biochemical studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Methanolic leaves extract of T. garganica was evaluated for anti-venom activity against buthus. occitanus under in vivo conditions. Histopathological and biochemical changes in envenomed and treated mice were also examined. Phytochemical screening was conducted to estimate the major constituents whereas DPPH, β -Carotene-linoleic acid and reducing power assays were performed to evaluate the anti-oxidant activity of T. garganica extract. RESULTS Methanolic leaves extract of T. garganica (2g/kg) increased the survival time (> 18h) of mice injected with lethal doses of B. occitanus venom, with remarkable recovery of histology damage. Furthermore T. garganica induced a significant decreased of biochemical markers of kidney, liver and heart function. Phytochemistry screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and steroids/terpenoids, which might explain the bioactivity of the extract. It was also shown that the extract has an exceptionally high antioxidant activity compared to well-known antioxidants used as standards. CONCLUSION The present study provides strong evidence that support the use of T. garganica as anti-scorpion venom in traditional medicine in Morocco. However, additional studies are required to isolate and identify the metabolites responsible for the activity.

Species composition and geographical distribution of Saharan scorpion fauna, Morocco

Abstract Objective To describe the species composition of scorpions and to study its geographical distribution in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab regions in July 2014. Methods To locate scorpions, the ground was examined through searching the places under the stones, rocks and in burrows. The nocturnal missions were also conducted using portable ultraviolet lamps. The scorpions were subsequently identified in the laboratory. Results The results of the investigations in these regions showed the presence of five scorpion species, two of which Androctonus gonneti and Buthus bonito were endemic in Morocco. Conclusions This work is allowed to complete the inventory of the studied scorpion fauna and provides some considerations on the distribution patterns in the study area.