A new quinoline alkaloid from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans / 中国中药杂志

Three compounds, including scolosprine C(1), uracil(2) and hypoxanthine(3), were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate fraction of centipede by silica gel normal-phase column chromatography, reversed-phase medium pressure preparation chromatography, and high-pressure semi-preparative HPLC. The structure was elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic analyses [such as nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and mass spectrometry(MS)] and literature review. Among them, compound 1 was a new quinoline alkaloid. In previous reports, we have described the isolation and structure elucidation of one new and two known quinoline alkaloids. In this paper, we would report the isolation and structure elucidation of scolosprine C in detail.

Mitochondrial activity disruption and local muscle damage induced in mice by Scolopendra polymorpha venom

Scolopendra polymorpha (S. polymorpha) is a predatory centipede whose venom contains a multiplicity of biochemical effectors that can cause muscle damage and cumulative cell destruction in its prey. Despite previous investigations of S. polymorpha and other centipede venoms, there is a lack of information on the morphological and biochemical patterns elicited by their myotoxic effects. To elucidate these processes, this paper presents evidence of skeletal muscle damage, and alterations in key biochemical mediators that appear only after exposure to centipede venom. Methods: Venom was collected and fractionated using RP-HPLC; mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was exposed to whole venom and venom fractions to evaluate myotoxicity by means of creatine kinase (CK) - a muscle damage marker - activity measurements and histochemical analysis. Results: CK activity was higher in EDL muscle exposed to venom than in unexposed muscle. This increase was observed after 15 min of venom incubation, and remained stable up to 45 min. Venom-exposed EDL muscle showed signs of muscle damage including necrosis, loss of fascicular structure as well as mitochondrial accumulations and ragged red fibers (RRF), suggesting an impairment in the normal mitochondrial arrangement. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and cytochrome oxidase (COX) tests also indicate that respiratory complexes might be affected. Conclusion: Our results suggest a different biochemical composition of S. polymorpha venom, based on the different effects of four venom fractions on the cells tested, according to statistical evidence. Fractions F6 and F7 caused the most important alterations.(AU)

<b>Five Cases of Hymenoptera Stings and Centipede Bites Treated with Ourengedokuto and </b><b>Inchingoreisan</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

<p>We report five cases of painful swelling caused by hymenoptera stings and centipede bites treated with <i>ourengedokuto </i>and <i>inchingoreisan </i>soon after the time of injury. The first case was a 70-year-old male. He was stung by a hornet on the left hand 30 minutes prior. The second case was a 45-year-old male. He was stung by a hornet on the left face 20 minutes prior. The third case was a 55-year-old male. He was stung by a hornet on the left lower thigh 10 minutes prior. The fourth case was a 39-year-old male. He was stung by a hornet on the right thigh 60 minutes prior. The fifth case was a 35-year-old male. He was bitten by a centipede on the right first toe 20 minutes prior. All cases received Kampo therapies immediately and continued them every few hours. In all cases, their pain, redness and swelling at the site of injury were relieved by the next day. We consider Kampo therapies can contribute to the healing of hymenoptera stings and centipede bites at an early stage.</p>

Study on Anti-lung Cancer Efficiency of Centipede Extracts in Vitro and Vivo Experiments / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate efficiency of centipede extracts on apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition to Human A549 cell line and growth suppression of subcutaneous transplanted sarcoma in nude mice. Methods Centipede extracts prepared by enzymolysis and acetone precipitation methods were used to treat human lung cancer A549 cell line. Proliferation inhibition was evaluated by MTT assay and half inhibit concentration (IC50) was calculated. Cell morphological change and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst stain. The subcutaneous transplanted sarcoma models were prepared with nude mice and randomly divided into model group, control group and centipede extracts group, with 10 mice in each group. Changes of tumor volume, quality and anti-tumor rate were observed.Results In vitro experiment, proliferation of A549 cells was inhibited with dose-dependency and IC50 value was 0.603 mg/mL. The G0/G1 phase of cells was down regulated and G2/M and S phase cells were up-regulated. The apoptotic character cells were been found by Hoechst stain. In vivo experiment, the tumor weight and volume decreased significantly compared with model control group, with statistical significance (P<0.01).Conclusion The centipede extracts shows dose-dependent anti-proliferative effect on A549 cells, which can induce apoptosis by arresting A549 cells at G2/M phase and suppressing growth of subcutaneous transplanted sarcoma of lung cancer in nude mice.

Coronary artery spasm induced by a centipede bite / 대한내과학회지

The centipede is an elongated and multi-segmented arthropod with a venom apparatus that consists of modified legs on either side of the body just behind the head. Generally, centipede envenomation causes local tissue swelling, redness, pruritus, swollen and painful lymph nodes, headache, nausea, vomiting and anxiety. Adverse systemic reactions such as acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and acute myocardial infarction have been associated with centipede bite. We experienced a case of a 57-year-old man who complained of severe chest pain after a centipede (20 cm in length) bite. The electrocardiogram recorded at the emergency medical center showed ST-T changes in the precordial leads. The levels of cardiac enzyme were not elevated [creatine kinase (CK) 101 U/L (35~172), CK-MB 5.1 U/L (2.3~9.5), troponin I 0.06 ng/mL (0~0.05), troponin T 0.02 ng/mL (0~0.1)]. He had a history of percutaneous coronary intervention in the left circumflex artery under the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction 4 years ago. The emergency coronary angiogram revealed severe diffuse coronary artery spasm in the left coronary artery, which was improved after intracoronary nitroglycerin injection, and patent previously placed stent in the left circumflex artery was noted. He improved after medical treatment and was discharged on the eleventh day without any remained subjective symptoms.

A Clinical Analysis of 29 Cases of Centipede Bite / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The relative lack of knowledge and interest in arthropod bites has made it difficult to investigate centipede envenomation in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of centipede bites in Korea. METHODS: A prospective study of clinical manifestations in patients with centipede bites was performed during the period of May 2004 to April 2005. Factors investigated included sex, age, location and time of assaults, affected parts of the body, signs and symptoms, treatment modalities, and complications. All centipedes that were involved were brought to the clinic, examined, and species-identified. RESULTS: A total of 29 cases of centipede bite were identified. Scolopendra subspinipes was the causative centipede in all cases. Centipede bites occurred exclusively in summer (June, July, and August). Most of the bites which occurred during the daytime happened outdoors, whereas most nocturnal assaults happened indoors. All patients were bitten on an exposed area and the fingers (37.9%) were the most frequent sites of involvement. Local reactions developed at the bitten sites and usually remained localized. Erythema (100%) and local swelling (79.3%) were the most prominent features. The majority of patients did not show severe systemic symptoms. Most lesions healed completely within a week, without complications. CONCLUSION: Centipede bites are a common occurrance in rural and island areas during the summer season. Dermatologists need to be aware of the clinical manifestations in order to make an appropriate diagnosis and proper treatment decision.

Effects of centipede acidic protein on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblast induced by angiotensinⅡ / 中华中医药杂志

Objective: To study the influence of Centipede Acidic Protein(CAP) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts(CFb) induced by angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ),and to explore the mechanisms of CAP on cardiac fibrosis.Methods: Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were treated with AngⅡ to produce fibrosis model.The effects of CAP on proliferation of CFb were observed by MTT colorimetric assay,synthesis of collagen was observed by the hydroxyproline concentration.The NO contents were measured by Nitric acid reductase method.The c-myc expression was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis.Results: Compared with that of control group,the proliferation,collagen synthesis and the levels of c-myc mRNA expression of CFb in the model group increased,while the NO contents decreased obviously(P

A Case of a Centipede Bite / 대한피부과학회지

Centipedes are grouped in the Pylum Arthropoda, Class Chilopoda, and they can be found in moist environments such as litter or soil and under bark or stones. Most centipedes are nocturnal predators, feeding on insects, spiders, soil mites, nematodes, earthworms, or even small vertebrates. Bites usually cause local pain, erythema, edema, and sometimes systemic symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or pyrexia. A 47-year-old man presented with severe swelling, dysesthesia and vesiculation on the right forearm. Three days before the visit to the hospital, he had been bitten on the right forearm by a centipede while he had been sleeping during night at home. He was treated with antihistamines, antibiotics, systemic corticosteroids, topical steroid ointment and povidone iodine solution, and the lesion resolved without complication after a few days.

Study on the mechanisms of tumor inhibitory effect of centipede extraction on heterotopic grafting hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of extraction centipede extraction (CE) on grafting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice.Methods We set up model of Bel-7404 cells heterotopic grafting HCC in nude mice,and observed the tumor growth and metastasis after intragastric administration of CE (treatment group).Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect X-chromosome linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein(XIAP),bax gene,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and angiopoietin-2(Ang-2) in tumor tissue.Results There was distinctive inhibitive effect of CE on in Bel-7404 cells heterotopic grafting HCC in nude mice.The staining cells population,staining intensity and the optical density(OD)of XIAP,VEGF and Ang-2 in the control group were higher than those in treatment group,but those of BAX were lower than that in treatment group,and there was significant difference between the 2 groups(P