Drug Repositioning for Scorpion Envenomation Treatment Through Dual Inhibition of Chlorotoxin and Leiurotoxin

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation, a grave public health concern, is primarily driven by the potent neurotoxins chlorotoxin and leiurotoxin present in Leiurus species venom. Developing effective treatments is crucial to mitigate its impact. Utilizing a drug-repositioning bioinformatics-based approach, potential inhibitors of these neurotoxins were identified from Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. Through virtual screening and subsequent molecular dynamics simulations, their ability to stabilize the peptides over time was evaluated. Among the compounds scrutinized, bolazine emerged as a promising candidate, demonstrating significant affinity for both neurotoxins, indicating potential dual inhibitory activity. Molecular dynamics simulations further corroborated the enhanced stability of bolazine complexes compared to neurotoxins alone. These findings suggest the feasibility of repurposing existing drugs to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat scorpion envenomation. Such interventions hold promise in alleviating the severe health repercussions of scorpion stings and meeting the urgent demand for effective remedies in affected communities.