Saadia Tobassum* and Farah Liaqat*
The antidiabetic effect of venom of Hottentota tamulus and Androctonus finitimus scorpions was evaluated in the alloxan-induced diabetic mice by studying biological parameters and pancreas structure abnormalities. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to either insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or impaired insulin function (Type 2), leading to various health complications. For extraction of venom, 50 scorpions of Hottentota tamulus and Androctonus finitimus species were maintained in the lab. Venom of both species was characterized and its effect was evaluated on diabetes. In this study, 32 male albino mice were divided into eight main groups each of 4 mice. Group 1 was injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline solution, Group 2 was given alloxan but no treatment was given. Group 3 received crude venom (150 mg/kg) (i p., daily for 5 weeks) after induction of alloxan. Group 4 received crude venom (300 mg/kg). Group 5 received venom fraction I (1.3mg/kg), Group 6 was given venom fraction II (1.4mg/kg), Group 7 was given venom fraction III (1.5mg/kg) and group 8 received recommended dose (1.8mg/kg) of metformin. This grouping of mice was repeated for Hottentota tamulus and Androctonus finitimus scorpions. Blood samples were collected from all groups to check effect of crude venom and venom fractions on fasting blood glucose level, insulin level, lipid profile level and body weight in control group and treated groups. Administration of venom revealed a significant decrease (P<0.0001) in the concentrations of glucose, body weight was gradually significantly increased (P<0.0001) in venom treated groups and metformin treated groups. Venom treatments also showed a significant elevation in triacylglyceride (P<0.0001), total cholesterol, LDL-C and a significant reduction (P<0.0001) in HDL-C and plasma insulin levels
