Scorpion venom: dangerous or potency for COVID-۱۹treatment

Background and Aim : Coronaviruses have caused two large-scale epidemics in the past twodecades, SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Later, a novel coronavirus SARSCoV-۲ (also known as COVID-۱۹) is an ongoing global pandemic which caused the severe acuterespiratory syndrome. To date, limited available antiviral vaccines and drugs against novel viruseslikewise, the current SARS-CoV-۲ draw attention to the importance of discovery and developingof new antiviral agents. In that case, venomous animals such as scorpions are considered promisingsources for discovering new antiviral drugs.Methods : This review summarises and classifies available literature about some importantscorpion venom peptides with pharmaceutical activities. Several databases, including PubMed,Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholardatabases were searched to find, collect and classify all relevant data published from January ۲۰۰۳to June ۲۰۲۲.Results : Despite scorpion's public health dangers worldwide, their venom is a valuable source ofbioactive compounds and according to previous studies, scorpion peptides might haveantimicrobial (AMPs), anti-cancerous, Bradykinin-Potentiating and Immunosuppressive activitypotentials. AMPs isolated from scorpions also display a broad spectrum of antiviral activities.Some prospective scorpion antiviral peptides are included, Smp۷۶, Hp۱۰۹۰, Hp۱۰۳۶, Hp۱۲۳۹,and Kn۲-۷. Recently, it is been reported that Mucroporin-M۱ from the Lychas mucronatus venomcan successfully inhibit measles, SARS-CoV and influenza H۵N۱ virus activities. It is beenrevealed that the interaction of the RBD domain of spike protein S۱ domain SARS-CoV-۲ withACE۲ receptor could be applied as a potential target for the development of anti-SARS-COV-۲drugs. Through virtual assessment, meucin-۱۸ and its mutation A۹T had effective interaction withthe RBD domain of spike protein.Conclusion : The potential in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of scorpion venom in the treatmentof the SARS-COV-۲ virus should be further explored.

Keywords:

Scorpion venom Peptides , SARS-COV-۲ , Antiviral peptides , Pharmacologicalproperties.