Bugs as drugs, part two: Worms, leeches, scorpions, snails, ticks, centipedes, and spiders

Alternative Medicine Review

Volumn 16, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 50-58

  Cherniack, E Paul ^a,b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MILLER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE   (United States)

^b VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER   (United States)

Author keywords

Arthropod; Centipede; Helminth; Insect; Leech; Scorpion; Snail; Spider; Tick; Worm

Indexed keywords

ANTICOAGULANT AGENT; ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT; COELOMIC CYTOLYTIC FACTOR; DESULFATOHIRUDIN; EISENIAPORE; FETIDIN; HEPARIN; HIRUDIN; LEPIRUDIN; LUMBRICIN; LUMBROKINASE; LYSENIN; OMEGA CONOTOXIN MVIIA; SCORPION VENOM; SNAIL VENOM; SPIDER VENOM; TICK ANTICOAGULANT PEPTIDE; UNCLASSIFIED DRUG; ARTHROPOD VENOM;

ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME; ALLERGY; ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE; ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY; ANTINOCICEPTION; ASTHMA; AVULSION INJURY; CHRONIC PAIN; CROHN DISEASE; DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS; DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR CLOTTING; DIZZINESS; EARTHWORM; ENTERITIS; EPILEPSY; HEART MUSCLE ISCHEMIA; HEPARIN INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA; HUMAN; KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS; LEECH; LEECHING; LIPID METABOLISM; LUNG EMBOLISM; MEMORY DISORDER; MENINGITIS; MENTAL DISEASE; NECATOR AMERICANUS; NEPHROLITHIASIS; NONHUMAN; NYSTAGMUS; OSTEOARTHRITIS; PARTIAL THROMBOPLASTIN TIME; PATIENT EDUCATION; PHLEBITIS; PLASTIC SURGERY; REVIEW; RHEUMATIC DISEASE; SCORPION; SLURRED SPEECH; SNAIL; SPIDER; STABLE ANGINA PECTORIS; STROKE; SYNCOPE; THROMBIN TIME; TICK; TRICHURIS; ULCERATIVE COLITIS; VENOUS CONGESTION; VERTIGO; WORM; WOUND HEALING; ANIMAL; ARTHROPOD; CHRONIC DISEASE; EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE; HELMINTH; INSECT BITE; TIC;

ANIMALS; ARTHROPOD VENOMS; ARTHROPODS; CHRONIC DISEASE; EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE; HELMINTHS; HUMANS; INSECT BITES AND STINGS; LEECHES; SCORPIONS; SNAILS; SPIDERS; TICS;

EID: 79955653863     PISSN: 10895159     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Review

References (81)

1. Eldor A, Orevi M, Rigbi M. The role of the leech in medical therapeutics. Blood Rev 1996;10:201-209. (Pubitemid 27042821)
2. Whitaker IS, Izadi D, Oliver DW, et al. Hirudo medicinalis and the plastic surgeon. Br J Plast Surg 2004;57:348-353. (Pubitemid 38735714)
3. Papavramidou N, Christopoulou-Aletra H. Medicinal use of leeches in the texts of ancient Greek, Roman and early Byzantine writers. Intern Med J 2009;39:624-627.
4. Massart D, Sohawon S, Noordally O. Medicinal leeches. Rev Med Brux 2009;30:533-536. [Article in French]
5. Abdelgabar AM, Bhowmick BK. The return of the leech. Int J Clin Pract 2003;57:103-105. (Pubitemid 36372563)
6. Gross MP, Apesos J. The use of leeches for treatment of venous congestion of the nipple following breast surgery. Aesthetic Plast Surg 1992;16:343-348.
7. Tuncali D, Terzioglu A, Cigsar B, Asian G. The value of medical leeches in the treatment of class IIC ring avulsion injuries: report of 2 cases. J Hand Surg Am 2004;29:943-946. (Pubitemid 39311596)
8. de Chalain TM. Exploring the use of the medicinal leech: a clinical risk-benefit analysis. J Reconstr Microsurg 1996;12:165-172.
9. Mory RN, Mindell D, Bloom DA. The leech and the physician: biology, etymology, and medical practice with Hirudinea medidnalis. World J Surg 2000;24:878-883. (Pubitemid 30437489)
10. Ardehali B, Hand K, Nduka C, et al. Delayed leech-borne infection with Aeromonas hydrophilia in escharotic flap wound. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2006;59:94-95.
11. Lineaweaver WC. Aeromonas hydrophila infections following clinical use of medicinal leeches: a review of published cases. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 1991;2:201-203.
12. Michalsen A, Moebus S, Spahn G, et al. Leech therapy for symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis: results and implications of a pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med 2002;8:84-88. (Pubitemid 35006226)
13. Michalsen A, Klotz S, Ludtke R, et al. Effectiveness of leech therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2003;139:724-730.
14. Andereya S, Stanzel S, Maus U, et al. Assessment of leech therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized study. Acta Orthop 2008;79:235-243. (Pubitemid 351878355)
15. Markwardt F. Hirudin as alternative anticoagulant - a historical review. Semin Thromb Hemost 2002;28:405-414.
16. van de Loo A, Bode C. Hirudin in acute coronary syndromes. Semin Thromb Hcmost 2002;28:459-466.
17. No authors listed. Comparison of the effects of two doses of recombinant hirudin compared with heparin in patients with acute myocardial ischemia without ST elevation: a pilot study. Organization to Assess Strategies for Ischemic Syndromes (OASIS) Investigators. Circulation 1997;96:769-777.
18. Cannon CP, Braunwald E. Hirudin: initial results in acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina and angioplasty. JAm Coll Cardiol 1995;25:30S-37S.
19. Deitcher SR. Clinical utility of subcutaneous hirudins. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003;60:S27-S31.
20. Sohn JH, Kang HA, Rao KJ, et al. Current status of the anticoagulant hirudin: its biotechnological production and clinical practice. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2001;57:606-613. (Pubitemid 34028252)
21. Lubenow N, Greinacher A. Hirudin in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Semin Thromb Hemost 2002;28:431-438. (Pubitemid 35217488)
22. Schiele F, Lindgaerde F, Eriksson H, et al. Subcutaneous recombinant hirudin (HBW 023) versus intravenous sodium heparin in treatment of established acute deep vein thrombosis of the legs: a multicentre prospective dose-ranging randomized trial. International Multicentre Hirudin Study Group. Thromb Haemost 1997;77:834-838. (Pubitemid 27239100)
23. Fischer KG. Hirudin in renal insufficiency. Semin Thromb Hemost 2002;28:467-482.
24. Stamenova PK, Marchetti T, Simeonov I. Efficacy and safety of topical hirudin (Hirudex): a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2001;5:37-42. (Pubitemid 34177152)
25. Cooper EL, Ru B, Weng N. Earthworms: sources of antimicrobial and anticancer molecules. Adv Exp Med Biol 2004;546:359-389. (Pubitemid 40090294)
26. Prakash M, Gunasekaran G, Elumalai K. Effect of earthworm powder on antioxidant enzymes in alcohol induced hepatotoxic rats. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2008;12:237-243.
27. Hahn BS, Jo YY, Yang KY, et al. Evaluation of the in vivo antithrombotic, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities of Lumbricus rubellus earthworm powder. Arch Pharm Res 1997;20:17-23. (Pubitemid 127697120)
28. Kim YS, Pyo MK, Park KM, et al. Dose dependency of earthworm powder on antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effects. Arch Pharm Res 1998;21:374-377. (Pubitemid 128661821)
29. Joo SS, Won TJ, Kim JS, et al. Inhibition of coagulation activation and inflammation by a novel Factor Xa inhibitor synthesized from the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Biol Pharm Bull 2009;32:253-258.
30. Kasim M, Kiat AA, Rohman MS, et al. Improved myocardial perfusion in stable angina pectoris by oral lumbrokinase: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2009;15:539-544.
31. Ruyssers NE, De Winter BY, De Man JG, et al. Schistosoma mansoni proteins attenuate gastrointestinal motility disturbances during experimental colitis in mice. World J Gastroenterol 2010;16:703-712.
32. Fiasse R, Latinne D. Intestinal helminths: a clue explaining the low incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa? Potential benefits and hazards of helminth therapy. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2006;69:418-422.
33. Buning J, Homann N, von Smolinski D, et al. Helminths as governors of inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 2008;57:1182-1183.
34. Radford-Smith GL. Will worms really cure Crohn's disease? Gut 2005;54:6-8. (Pubitemid 40007210)
35. Summers RW, Elliott DE, Urban JF Jr, et al. Trichuris suis therapy in Crohn's disease. Gut 2005;54:87-90. (Pubitemid 40007223)
36. Summers RW, Elliott DE, Qadir K, et al. Trichuris suis seems to be safe and possibly effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2003;98:2034-2041. (Pubitemid 37185802)
37. Summers RW, Elliott DE, Urban JF Jr, et al. Trichuris suis therapy for active ulcerative colitis: a randomized controlled trial. Gastroenterology 2005;128:825-832. (Pubitemid 40523535)
38. van Kruningen H. Potential danger in the medical use of Trichuris suis for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2005;11:515.
39. Reddy A, Fried B. An update on the use of helminths to treat Crohn's and other autoimmunune diseases. Parasitol Res 2009;104:217-221.
40. Erb KJ. Can helminths or helminth-derived products be used in humans to prevent or treat allergic diseases? Trends Immunol 2009;30:75-82.
41. Mortimer K, Brown A, Feary J, et al. Dose-ranging study for trials of therapeutic infection with Necator americanus in humans. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2006;75:914-920. (Pubitemid 351627540)
42. Bager P, Arnved J, Ronborg S, et al. Trichuris suis ova therapy for allergic rhinitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010;125:123-130. e1-3.
43. Rajendra W, Armugam A, Jeyaseelan K. Toxins in anti-nociception and anti-inflammation. Toxicon 2004;44:1-17 (Pubitemid 38844237)
44. Wang Z, Wang W, Shao Z, et al. Eukaryotic expression and purification of anti-epilepsy peptide of Buthus martensii Karsch and its protein interact ions. Mol Cell Biochem 2009;330:97-104.
45. Kim KS, Cho HS, Lee SD, et al. Inhibitory effect of Buthus martensi Karsch extracts on interleukin-1beta-induced expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthase and production of NO in human chondrocytes and LPS-induced NO and prostaglandin E2 production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Toxicol In Vitro 2005;19:757-769.
46. Goudet C, Chi CW, Tytgat J. An overview of Loxins and genes from the venom of the Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch. Toxicon 2002;40:1239-1258. (Pubitemid 35239894)
47. Shijin Y, Hong Y, Yibao M, et al. Characterization of a new Kv1.3 channel-specific blocker, J123, from the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. Peptides 2008;29:1514-1520.
48. Shao J, Kang N, Liu Y, et al. Purification and characterization of an analgesic peptide from Buthus martensii Karsch. Biomed Chromatogr 2007;21:1266-1271.
49. Chen B, Ji Y. Antihyperalgesia effect of BmKAS, a scorpion toxin, in rat by intraplantar injection. Brain Res 2002;952:322-326.
50. Guan RJ, Wang M, Wang D, Wang DC. A new insect neurotoxin AngP1 with analgesic effect from the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch: purification and characterization. J Pept Res 2001;58:27-35. (Pubitemid 32624915)
51. Tan ZY, Xiao H, Mao X, et al. The inhibitory effects of BmK IT2, a scorpion neurotoxin on rat nociceptive flexion reflex and a possible mechanism for modulating voltage-gated Na(+) channels. Neuropharmacology 2001;40:352-357. (Pubitemid 32144713)
52. Liu YF, Ma RL, Wang SL, et al. Expression of an antitumor-analgesic peptide from the venom of Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii karsch in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif 2003;27:253-258.
53. Xiong YM, Lan ZD, Wang M, et al. Molecular characterization of a new excitatory insect neurotoxin with an analgesic effect on mice from the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch. Toxicon 1999;37:1165-1180. (Pubitemid 29234084)
54. Shao JH, Wang YQ, Wu XY, et al. Cloning, expression, and pharmacological activity of BmKAS, an active peptide from scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. Biotechnol Lett 2008;30:23-29.
55. Bai ZT, Liu T, Pang XY, et al. Suppression by intrathecal BmK IT2 on rat spontaneous pain behaviors and spinal c-Fos expression induced by formalin. Brain Res Bull 2007;73:248-253. (Pubitemid 46887634)
56. Li C, Liu M, Monbo J, et al. Turning a scorpion toxin into an antitumor miniprotein. J Am Chem Soc 2008;130:13546-13548.
57. Feng L, Gao R, Gopalakrishnakone P. Isolation and characterization of a hyaluronidase from the venom of Chinese red scorpion Buthus martensi. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2008;148:250-257.
58. Gupta SD, Gomes A, Debnath A, Saha A. Apoptosis induction in human leukemic cells by a novel protein Bengalin, isolated from Indian black scorpion venom: through mitochondrial pathway and inhibition of heat shock proteins. Chem Biol Interact 2010;183:293-303.
59. Das Gupta S, Debnath A, Saha A. et al. Indian black scorpion (Heterometrus bengalensis Koch) venom induced antiproliferative and apoptogenic activity against human leukemic cell lines U937 and K562. Leuk Res 2007;31:817-825. (Pubitemid 46863378)
60. Haldar S, Das Gupta S, Gomes A, et al. A high molecular weight protein Bengalin from the Indian black scorpion (Heterometrus bengalensis C.L. Koch) venom having antiosteoporosis activity in female albino rats. Toxicon 2009;55:455-461.
61. Gomes A, Haldar S, Giri B, et al. Experimental osteoporosis induced in female albino rats and its antagonism by Indian black scorpion (Heterometrus bengalensis C.L.Koch) venom. Toxicon 2009;53:60-68.
62. Deshane J, Garner CC, Sontheimer H. Chlorotoxin inhibits glioma cell invasion via matrix metalloproteinase-2. J Biol Chem 2003;278:4135-4144. (Pubitemid 36801150)
63. Borges A, Silva S, Op den Camp HJ, et al. In vitro leishmanicidal activity of Tityus discrepans scorpion venom. Parasitol Res 2006;99:167-173. (Pubitemid 43873263)
64. Conduit R, Sasse A, Hodgson W, et al. A neurotoxinological approach to the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep Med Rev 2007;11:361-375. (Pubitemid 47374531)
65. Bonnemain B. Helix and drugs: snails for western health care from antiquity to the present. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2005;2:25-28. (Pubitemid 41399510)
66. Becker S, Terlau H. Toxins from cone snails: properties, applications and bio technological produclion. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2008;79:1-9.
67. Bingham JP, Mitsunaga E, Bergeron ZL. Drugs from slugs - past, present and future perspectives of omega-conotoxin research. Chem Biol Interact 2010;183:1-18.
68. Webster LR, Fisher R, Charapata S, Wallace MS. Long term intrathecal ziconotide for chronic pain: an open-label study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2009;37:363-372.
69. Hama A, Sagen J. Antinociceptive effects of the marine snail peptides conantokin-G and conotoxin MVIIA alone and in combination in rat models of pain. Neuropharmacology 2009;56:556-563.
70. Kolosov A, Goodchild CS, Cooke I. CNSB004 (Leconotide) causes antihyperalgesia without side effects when given intravenously: a comparison with ziconotide in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain. Pain Med 2010;11:262-273.
71. Lubbers NL, Campbell TJ, Polakowski JS, et al. Postischemic administration of CGX-1051, a peptide from cone snail venom, reduces infarct size in both rat and dog models of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2005;46:141-146. (Pubitemid 41060205)
72. Zhang SJ, Yang XM, Liu GS, et al. CGX-1051, a peptide from Conus snail venom, attenuates infarction in rabbit hearts when administered at reperfusion. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2003;42:764-771. (Pubitemid 37467099)
73. Wu Y, Li J, Wang J, et al. Anti-atherogenic effects of centipede acidic prolein in raLs fed an atherogenic diet. J Ethnopharmacol 2009;122:509-516.
74. Peng K, Kong Y, Zhai L, et al. Two novel antimicrobial peptides from centipede venoms. Toxicon 2010;55:274-279.
75. Park SP, Kim BM, Koo JY, et al. A tarantula spider toxin, GsMTx4, reduces mechanical and neuropathic pain. Pain 2008;137:208-217.
76. Mazzuca M, Heurteaux C, Alloui A, et al. A tarantula peptide against pain via ASIC1a channels and opioid mechanisms. Nat Neurosci 2007;10:943-945. (Pubitemid 47185208)
77. Decrem Y, Rath G, Blasioli V, et al. Ir-CPI, a coagulation contact phase inhibitor from the tick Ixodes ricinus, inhibits thrombus formation without impairing hemostasis. J Exp Med 2009;206:2381-2395.
78. Nazareth RA, Tomaz LS, Ortiz-Costa S, et al. Antithrombotic properties of ixolaris, a potent inhibitor of the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade. Thromb Haemost 2006;96:7-13. (Pubitemid 44160864)
79. Ragosta M, Gimple LW, Gertz SD, et al. Specific factor Xa inhibition reduces restenosis after balloon angioplasty of atherosclerotic femoral arteries in rabbits. Circulation 1994;89:1262-1271. (Pubitemid 24076554)
80. Corral-Rodriguez MA, Macedo-Ribeiro S, Pereira PJ, Fuentes-Prior P. Leech-derived thrombin inhibitors: from structures to mechanisms to clinical applications. J Med Chem 2010;53:3847-3861.
81. Grishin EV, Savchenko GA, Vassilevski AA, et al. Novel peptide from spider venom inhibits P2X3 receptors and inflammatory pain. Ann Neurol 2010;67:680-683.