New data on the spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Anguilla, Lesser Antilles with description of seven new species

Posted by
  New data on the spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Anguilla, Lesser Antilles with description of seven new species Abstract  28 species of spider are newly recorded from Anguilla, a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, in the Lesser Antilles, including seven also new to science:  Agyneta   anguilla  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor  sp .  nov . (Linyphiidae),  Sphecozone   sandyground  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor  sp .  nov . (Linyphiidae),  Mimetus   antillensis  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor  sp .  nov . (Mimetidae),  Modisimus anguillensis  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor  sp .  nov . (Pholcidae),  Anelosimus   blackgardens  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor  sp .  nov . (Theridiidae),  Anelosimus covepond  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor  sp .  nov . (Theridiidae), and  Coleosoma   roadsalt  Sherwood, Mukhida & Connor...

Tityus stigmurus-Venom-Loaded Cross-Linked Chitosan Nanoparticles Improve Antimicrobial Activity

Posted by

 


Tityus stigmurus-Venom-Loaded Cross-Linked Chitosan Nanoparticles Improve Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

The rapid resistance developed by pathogenic microorganisms against the current antimicrobial pool represents a serious global public health problem, leading to the search for new antibiotic agents. The scorpion Tityus stigmurus, an abundant species in Northeastern Brazil, presents a rich arsenal of bioactive molecules in its venom, with high potential for biotechnological applications. However, venom cytotoxicity constitutes a barrier to the therapeutic application of its different components. The objective of this study was to produce T. stigmurus-venom-loaded cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles (Tsv/CN) at concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0% to improve their biological antimicrobial activity. Polymeric nanoparticles were formed with a homogeneous particle size and spherical shape. Experimental formulation parameters were verified in relation to mean size (<180 nm), zeta potential, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency (>78%). Tsv/CN 1.0% demonstrated an ability to increase the antimicrobial venom effect against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, exhibiting an MIC value of 44.6 μg/mL. It also inhibited different yeast species of the Candida genus, and Tsv/CN 0.5% and 1.0% led to a greater inhibitory effect of C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis strains, presenting MIC values between 22.2 and 5.5 µg/mL, respectively. These data demonstrate the biotechnological potential of these nanosystems to obtain a new therapeutic agent with potential antimicrobial activity.


Gláucia-Silva, Fiamma, João Vicente Pereira Torres, Manoela Torres-Rêgo, Alessandra Daniele-Silva, Allanny Alves Furtado, Sarah de Sousa Ferreira, Guilherme Maranhão Chaves, Francisco Humberto Xavier-Júnior, Karla Samara Rocha Soares, Arnóbio Antônio da Silva-Júnior, and et al. 2024. "Tityus stigmurus-Venom-Loaded Cross-Linked Chitosan Nanoparticles Improve Antimicrobial Activity" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25, no. 18: 9893. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189893