Antibacterial Activity of the Iranian Scorpion’s Crude Venom (Odontobuthus bidentatus) on Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria

Hani Keshavarz Alikhani,Mohammad Hosseinpour,Ali Bidmeshkipour,Ashkan Haji Nour Mohammadi,Ahmad Heydari,Jamil Zargan,Abbas Hajizadeh

doi:10.32598/ijt.14.2.627

Hani Keshavarz Alikhani, Mohammad Hosseinpour + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.32598/ijt.14.2.627

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Abstract

Background: The venoms of some scorpions are rich in bioactive components that may be used in the development and discovery of new antibacterial drugs. The venoms have many components, such as neurotoxins, salts, proteins and peptides with therapeutic properties, and can rapidly eliminate a broad range of bacteria. This study evaluated the anti-bacterial activity of Odontobuthus bidentatus’ crude venom against typical Gram-positive and negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. Methods: The antibacterial effects of the crude venom were evaluated using Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and MTT assays and its IC50 value was determined, using GraphPad software. Results: The crude venom significantly inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Also the MTT results showed that the crude venom significantly reduced the viability of E. Coli, S. Aureus, and B. Subtilis bacteria compared with that for the controls. The IC50 values of the venom for E.coli, S.aureus, and B.subtilis were 30.19, 17.64, and 24.13 µM, respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the venom of O. bidentatus scorpion has antibacterial properties. Also, our results offer preliminary clues toward the development of new antibacterial agents and new drugs with high therapeutic potentials for use in animals and humans.

Highlights

I n modern times, new antibiotic-resistant bacteria have continued to emerge, increasingly posing threats to the public health [1, 2]
The findings suggest that the venom of O. bidentatus scorpion has antibacterial properties
MTT assay: As seen in Figure 2, the crude venom significantly reduced the viability rates of E. coli, S. aureus, and B. subtilis bacteria in a dose dependent manner compared to that noted for the negative controls

Summary

Introduction

I n modern times, new antibiotic-resistant bacteria have continued to emerge, increasingly posing threats to the public health [1, 2]. Various multi-drug resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria have evolved, including. Venom components from various organisms, such as snakes [6, 7], scorpions [8, 9] and spiders [10, 11] have potential antimicrobial properties. The scorpion venom contains active components, such as hyaluronidase, mucopolysaccharides, serotonin, phospholipase, histamine, enzyme inhibitors and neurotoxins [13]. The venoms of some scorpions are rich in bioactive components that may be used in the development and discovery of new antibacterial drugs. The venoms have many components, such as neurotoxins, salts, proteins and peptides with therapeutic properties, and can rapidly eliminate a broad range of bacteria. This study evaluated the anti-bacterial activity of Odontobuthus bidentatus’ crude venom against typical Gram-positive and negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli

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Results

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Conclusion