Extraction of Proteintous Components from the Venom of Scorpion Hemiscorpious lepturus and Evaluation of Some Their Toxic Effects in Mice

The aim of the present study was to isolate the proteinous components of the venom electrically extracted from the scorpion Hemiscorpious lepturus and to test some of their toxic effects in mice. electroshock method was used to isolate the venom from ten thousand scorpions from the species Hemiscorpious lepturus. The extracted venom was dialyzed with distilled water for 24 h, and the water soluble components, containing the active ingredients, was separated by freeze drying method. The venom components were isolated by aid of chromatographic and spectroscopic, at 280 nm wavelength, methods using Cephadex G-50 jell column. The four isolated components were dissolved, at 200 g/ml, in water and injected intravenously at the tail of mice. Two hours after administration blood samples were taken and the following parameters were measured: glucose, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, total protein as well as hematological parameters including, WBC, RBC, hemoglobin and hemtocrit. The results of these components were compared with those of control mice group, not envenomed, as well as those received the raw venom. The result showed that the first fraction produced increase in urea, glucose, creatinine, triglycerides and lymphocytes, with a significant reduction in neutrophiles. While the second fraction produced a significant reduction in urea, critinine, cholesterol, total protein, and non-significant reduction in neutrophiles and increase in relative lymphocytes. Other parameters were not changed. The third fraction produced reduction in glucose, cholesterol and lymphocytes and increase in neutrophiles. Other parameters remained unchanged, while fraction four all biochemical parameters were reduced while those of hematological parameters did not change. The raw venom produced increase in neutrophiles and other, with exception of glucose, biochemical parameters. The number of lymphocytes was reduced. Since the forth fraction produced different responses relative to other parameters, it is possible that the forth fraction as well as other fractions can be used to produce more specific antivenom serum.