A factor of anti-atherosclerotic activity-fibrinolytic activity of venom of Buthus tumulus species (Indian red scorpion)

Abstract

Introduction: Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease of the arterial blood vessels (arteries), in which the walls of the blood vessels become thickened and hardened specifically due to atheromatous plaques. The plaques are composed of cholesterol and other lipids, inflammatory cells, and calcium deposits. There are five different types of atherosclerosis such as in the aorta, coronary, cerebral, renal, and pulmonary arteries. The scorpion species that present medical importance belonging to the family Buthidae Scorpion toxins consist of several peptides isolated from the venom of different species of scorpion and are based on their pharmacological action and also agree well with the structural properties of this peptide family. Method: The study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Modern College of Pharmacy, Nigadi, Pune in the year June 2012- June-2013 by In-vitro blood clot dissolving activity of SV and artificial blood clot degradation method Results: It was observed that SV was evaluated for its fibrinolytic properties in the In-vitro blood clot dissolving method and shown to decrease the stained area of the blood-stained cloth as compared to the control. Conclusion: In the artificial blood clot degradation method, the color intensity is higher in the test tube containing SV compared to the control and hence, it can be stated that SV has fibrinolytic activity.