The Pivotal Potentials of Scorpion <i>Buthus Martensii Karsch-</i>Analgesic‐Antitumor Peptide in Pain Management and Cancer
Seidu A. Richard, Sylvanus Kampo, Marian Sackey, Maite Esquijarosa Hechavarria, Alexis D. B. Buunaaim
Abstract
Scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch ‐analgesic‐antitumor peptide (BmK AGAP) has been used to treat diseases like tetanus, tuberculosis, apoplexy, epilepsy, spasm, migraine headaches, rheumatic pain, and cancer in China. AGAP is a distinctive long‐chain scorpion toxin with a molecular mass of 7142 Da and composed of 66 amino acids cross‐linked by four disulfide bridges. Voltage‐gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are present in excitable membranes and partakes in essential roles in action potentials generation as compared to the significant function of voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs). A total of nine genes (Na v 1.1–Na v 1.9) have been recognized to encode practical sodium channel isoforms. Na v 1.3, Na v 1.7, Na v 1.8, and Na v 1.9 have been recognized as potential targets for analgesics. Na v 1.8 and Na v 1.9 are associated with nociception initiated by inflammation signals in the neuronal pain pathway, while Na v 1.8 is fundamental for neuropathic pain at low temperatures. AGAP has a sturdy inhibitory influence on both viscera and soma pain. AGAP potentiates the effects of MAPK inhibitors on neuropathic as well as inflammation‐associated pain. AGAP downregulates the secretion of phosphorylated p38, phosphorylated JNK, and phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in vitro . AGAP has an analgesic activity which may be an effective therapeutic agent for pain management because of its downregulation of PTX3 via NF‐ κ B and Wnt/beta‐catenin signaling pathway. In cancers like colon cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and glioma, rAGAP was capable of blocking the proliferation. Thus, AGAP is a promising therapy for these tumors. Nevertheless, research is needed with other tumors.