In vitro therapeutic effect of Hemiscorpius lepturus venom on tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii

AbstractPyrimethamine which is a main anti-Toxoplasma gondii drug has a serious side and toxic effects on the host. Accordingly, the development of new treatment options for toxoplasmosis with less toxic effects, low teratogenicity and parasiticidal effect against the various stage ofT. gondii are dramatically crucial. Currently, natural molecules from scorpion and snake venoms are widely used as an alternative treatment against human disease, these compounds considered to be safe and to have low toxicity in comparison with synthetic drugs. Therefore, the goal of our study was to investigate the anti-Toxoplasma gondii activities ofHemiscorpius lepturus venom. We measured cytotoxicity ofH. lepturus whole venom on Vero cells as well as effectiveness of this compound on viability ofT. gondii applying colorimetric assay, according to mitochondrial oxidation of the MTT reagent (Methylthiazol tetrazolium 98%). The results of this study indicated that theH. lepturus whole venom has an anti-Toxoplasma effects with less toxic effect on Vero cells. Also, theT. gondii tachyzoites were treated withH. lepturus venom reached better results in comparison with Pyrimethamine-treated group. This research will serve as a base for future studies on toxoplasmosis and suggest a role for scorpion venom in promoting natural drugs.
Source: Journal of Parasitic Diseases - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research