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      Tityus serrulatus Scorpion Venom Induces Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

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          Abstract

          Cervical cancer (CC) is classified as the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide and remains a serious public health problem in many underdeveloped countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly types 16 and 18, has been established as a precursory etiologic agent for this type of cancer. Several therapeutic attempts have been studied and applied, aiming at its control. However, not only do classical treatments such as chemotherapies and radiotherapies target tumor cells, but also they cause damage to several healthy cells. For these reasons, the search for new biologically active chemotherapeutic components is of great importance. In this study, we investigated the effect of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (TsV) on CC lines. There are very few studies exploring venom of scorpions, and, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted using the venom of the scorpion TsV for treatment of cervical cancer lines. After challenge with TsV, the MTT assay demonstrated cytotoxic effect on HeLa line. Similarly, the cell death process in HeLa analyzed by flow cytometry suggests death via caspase, since the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly reduced the apoptotic response to the treatment. These results suggest that venom of TsV can be a potential source for the isolation of effective antiproliferative and apoptotic molecules in the treatment of CC.

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          Scorpion venom components as potential candidates for drug development

          Scorpions are well known for their dangerous stings that can result in severe consequences for human beings, including death. Neurotoxins present in their venoms are responsible for their toxicity. Due to their medical relevance, toxins have been the driving force in the scorpion natural compounds research field. On the other hand, for thousands of years, scorpions and their venoms have been applied in traditional medicine, mainly in Asia and Africa. With the remarkable growth in the number of characterized scorpion venom components, several drug candidates have been found with the potential to tackle many of the emerging global medical threats. Scorpions have become a valuable source of biologically active molecules, from novel antibiotics to potential anticancer therapeutics. Other venom components have drawn attention as useful scaffolds for the development of drugs. This review summarizes the most promising candidates for drug development that have been isolated from scorpion venoms.
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            Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude on HPV, HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer among the College Students in India

            Background Infection of specific high risk Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is known to cause cervical cancer and two prophylactic vaccines have been developed against two major high risk HPV types 16 and 18 for prevention of cervical cancer. Because of societal, religious and ethical issues associated with the vaccination of adolescent girls in India together with lack of awareness about HPV and HPV vaccines, no successful HPV immunization program has been employed in India. Objective To determine knowledge, awareness and attitude of college students on HPV, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer. Method A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in a total of 1580 undergraduate students between the age group 16–26 years comprising 684 girls and 876 boys. Results Out of a total of 1580 students, girls had more knowledge about cervical cancer (82.45%, p<0.001), HPV (45.61%, p<0.001) and HPV vaccines (44%, p<0.001) when compared to those in boys. However, knowledge about the types of HPV and vaccines was poor. Interestingly, students from biology-major had more knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer (81.89%, p<0.001) and HPV (46.58%, <0.001) when compared to non-biology students. Girls from both biology and non-biology group had higher awareness compared to boys. Analysis of odds ratio (ORs) along with 95% CI showed older girls with 1.2 to 3 fold (p<0.05) higher knowledge than boys. All students agreed that girls should get vaccinated against HPV (p<0.001). Conclusion It is suggested that there is a need for educational intervention and awareness campaigns to augment HPV immunization program for control of cervical cancer in India.
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              Arthropod venoms and cancer.

              Many active principles produced by animals, plants and microorganisms have been employed in the development of new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer. Among the animals that produce pharmacologically active molecules capable of interfering in human cellular physiology, the highlights are venomous arthropods, such as scorpions, bees, wasps, spiders, ants and caterpillars. The substances found in the venom of these animals present great potential as anti-tumor agents. In this review, we present the main results of years of research involving the active compounds of arthropods venoms that have anti-cancer activity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Journal
                Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
                Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
                ECAM
                Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM
                Hindawi
                1741-427X
                1741-4288
                2019
                23 June 2019
                23 June 2019
                : 2019
                : 5131042
                Affiliations
                1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Inovação Tecnológica em Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
                2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
                3Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
                4Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
                5Laboratorio de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, RN, Brazil
                6Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
                7Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
                8Maternidade Escola Januário Cicco (MEJC), Natal, RN, Brazil
                Author notes

                Academic Editor: Evan P. Cherniack

                Author information
                https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4673-9209
                https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3927-444X
                https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2252-1221
                https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1344-0078
                Article
                10.1155/2019/5131042
                6612397
                31341494
                e7a2a62d-2019-4a7b-b687-e8e1dacf6db3
                Copyright © 2019 Emanuelly Bernardes-Oliveira et al.

                This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

                History
                : 11 February 2019
                : 15 April 2019
                : 2 June 2019
                Funding
                Funded by: Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination
                Award ID: TOXINOLOGIA 2303800814/2011-83
                Categories
                Research Article

                Complementary & Alternative medicine
                Complementary & Alternative medicine

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