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A research team from the Loewe Center for Biodiversity Genomics in Germany has been able to produce and identify all the components of the venom of a false scorpion of the Schilfer cancroides species and discovered chemical molecules with a powerful effect against so-called hospital germs, which can be very harmful to humans.
According to the studyIn a study published by the team in the journal iScience, scientists discovered that the toxin has strong activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in particular, which causes infections that are difficult to treat.
fake scorpions
The scientific term “false scorpion” refers to a type of spider that resembles a scorpion in its external structure, but lacks the sting that is found at the tip of the scorpion's curved tail.
These creatures average 4 mm in length, with a typical range of 1–7 mm. Despite their small size, they have large, forceps-like forelimbs that they use to capture and hold prey, then inject venom into it.
There are more than 3,000 species of false scorpions, found throughout the world in a variety of habitats, including leaf litter, under bark, in soil, and in caves.
These creatures are also found in homes, where they can often be found on dusty bookshelves, hence another popular name for these creatures: “book scorpions.” In general, they are beneficial to humans, as they feed on small insects such as moths, lice, and ants, and pose no threat to humans.
chemical spider
According to the new study, the venom of this species of false scorpion contains a family of chemicals called “chikacins”, and different working groups at the Loewy Center tested the activity of these toxins against different types of bacteria.
Researchers explain in press release The center's official statement is that shikasins have a degree of toxicity against human cells and can cause inflammatory reactions in themselves, but this problem can be dealt with, as the team is currently working on improving the chemical structure of shikasins using biotechnology so that they become completely safe for humans.
Overall, the researchers believe that pseudo-scorpion venoms are so complex that they enrich the world of medicinal chemistry, and they hope that these findings will help inspire more researchers to explore this rich world.
This comes amid growing research interest in antibiotic-resistant infections that are spreading in hospitals and are believed to be the leading cause of disease-related death worldwide in the coming decades.
