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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Recent Research in Therapeutic Potentials of Venoms
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Recent Research in Therapeutic Potentials of Venoms

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 January 2026 | Viewed by 1523

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Samuel Teixeira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405318, MG, Brazil
2. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405318, MG, Brazil
Interests: animal venoms; bioprospecting; biotechnological tools; snake venom; alternative treatments; drug discovery; natural products
Dr. Daiana Silva Lopes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45032290, BA, Brazil
Interests: snake venoms; antitumoral; bioprospecting; biotechnological tools; snake venom; drug discovery
Dr. Sarah Natalie Cirilo Gimenes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Immunopathology Lab, Butantan Institute, Butantan Foundation, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Interests: animal toxins; bioprospecting; immunology; vaccines; drug discovery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Venoms consist of a complex mixture of biologically active molecules. Structural and functional studies of these compounds have demonstrated their valuable therapeutic potential and applicability in various contexts, increasing interest in exploring venoms’ molecular complexity in greater depth. Venom toxins possess a wide range of pharmacological domains capable of interacting with different targets with high affinity and selectivity, making them promising tools for drug discovery.

The multifaceted properties of venom toxins have driven the development of venom-derived drugs, currently used clinically to treat various human pathophysiological conditions, such as hypertension, thrombosis, and coagulation disorders. Since the FDA approval of Captopril—a classic example of venom as a valuable source of novel drug components—the field of venom-derived drug development has advanced significantly. Beyond their therapeutic potential and clinical applications, venom toxins have been utilized as diagnostic tools for hemostatic disorders and as biochemical tools to gain insights into cellular mechanisms.

We invite researchers from the scientific community to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting original research articles, reviews, and perspectives exploring the diverse applications of venoms across various fields of knowledge. Venom-derived compounds continue to provide valuable insights and solutions for medical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological challenges. By bringing together cutting-edge studies on the therapeutic potential of venoms, this Special Issue will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and highlight the latest advancements in both basic and applied research in this field.

Dr. Samuel Teixeira
Dr. Daiana Silva Lopes
Dr. Sarah Natalie Cirilo Gimenes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioprospecting
  • biotechnological tools
  • snake venom toxins
  • drug discovery
  • natural products
  • pharmacological applications
  • molecular targets of venom toxins
  • toxicology
  • peptide therapeutics
  • venom-based drug delivery

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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17 pages, 1022 KB  
Article
Bee Venom Proteins Enhance Proton Absorption by Membranes Composed of Phospholipids of the Myelin Sheath and Endoplasmic Reticulum: Pharmacological Relevance
by Zhuoyan Zeng, Mingsi Wei, Shuhao Zhang, Hanchen Cui, Ruben K. Dagda and Edward S. Gasanoff
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091334 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 426
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Recent evidence challenges the classical chemiosmotic theory, suggesting that proton movement along membrane surfaces—not bulk-phase gradients—drives bioenergetic processes. Proton accumulation on membranes like the myelin sheath and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may represent a universal mechanism for cellular energy storage. This study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Recent evidence challenges the classical chemiosmotic theory, suggesting that proton movement along membrane surfaces—not bulk-phase gradients—drives bioenergetic processes. Proton accumulation on membranes like the myelin sheath and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may represent a universal mechanism for cellular energy storage. This study investigates whether phospholipids from these membranes, combined with anionic bee venom proteins, enhance proton absorption, potentially elucidating a novel bioenergetic pathway. Methods: Five phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine) from rat liver were isolated to model myelin/ER membranes. Anionic proteins (pI 5.65–5.80) were purified from bee venom via cation exchange chromatography. Liposomes (with/without proteins) were prepared, and proton absorption was quantified by pH changes in suspensions versus pure water. Statistical significance was assessed via ANOVA and t-tests. Results: All phospholipid liposomes examined in this study absorbed protons under the tested conditions, with phosphatidylethanolamine showing the highest capacity (pH increase: 7.00 → 7.18). Liposomes enriched with anionic proteins exhibited significantly greater proton absorption (e.g., phosphatidylserine + proteins: pH 8.15 vs. 7.15 alone; p < 2.43 × 10−6). Sphingomyelin-protein liposomes absorbed the most protons, suggesting that protein–phospholipid interactions modulate surface proton affinity. Conclusions: Anionic bee venom proteins amplify proton absorption by phospholipid membranes, supporting the hypothesis that lipid–protein complexes act as “proton capacitors”. This mechanism may underpin extramitochondrial energy storage in myelin and ER. Pharmacologically, targeting these interactions could mitigate bioenergetic deficits in aging or disease. Further research should define the structural basis of proton capture by membrane-anchored proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research in Therapeutic Potentials of Venoms)
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21 pages, 2457 KB  
Article
BthTX-II, an Asp49 PLA2 from Bothrops jararacussu, Impairs Toxoplasma gondii Infection: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Approaches
by Vinícius Queiroz Oliveira, Emanuelle Lorrayne Ferreira, Lorena Pinheiro Morais, Leonardo Alves Garcia, Gabriel de Oliveira Sousa, Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida, Guilherme de Souza, Joed Pires de Lima Júnior, Natália Carine Lima dos Santos, Rafael Martins de Oliveira, Tássia Rafaela Costa, Andreimar Martins Soares, Luísa Carregosa Santos, Daiana Silva Lopes, Emidio Beraldo-Neto, Angelica Oliveira Gomes, Jovita Eugênia Gazzinelli Cruz Madeira, Bellisa Freitas Barbosa, Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro, Samuel Cota Teixeira and Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues Ávilaadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091260 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 714
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, poses a major global health concern owing to its potential for congenital transmission, particularly during pregnancy. Current pharmacological treatments, including spiramycin and pyrimethamine, exhibit limitations in both efficacy and safety, underscoring the need for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, poses a major global health concern owing to its potential for congenital transmission, particularly during pregnancy. Current pharmacological treatments, including spiramycin and pyrimethamine, exhibit limitations in both efficacy and safety, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the antiparasitic potential of BthTX-II, an Asp49 phospholipase A2 (PLA2) isolated from Bothrops jararacussu venom, in human trophoblast cells (BeWo) and third-trimester human placental explants infected with T. gondii. Methods: In vitro assays were performed using BeWo cells infected with T. gondii tachyzoites and treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of BthTX-II (3.125, 1.56, and 0.78 µg/mL). An ex vivo model employing third-trimester human placental villous explants was used under similar conditions. Parasite proliferation, adhesion, and invasion were assessed alongside host immune response modulation. Results: Our findings demonstrate that BthTX-II reduces T. gondii proliferation in BeWo cells at all tested non-cytotoxic concentrations. The toxin also significantly impaired parasite adhesion and invasion while modulating host immune response by upregulating interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor—potentially disrupting parasite proliferation. In placental villous explants, BthTX-II (1.56 μg/mL) reduced T. gondii proliferation and modulated IL-8, MIF, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels without compromising tissue viability. Conclusions: These findings highlight BthTX-II as a potential candidate in toxoplasmosis treatment. Further investigation should focus on its dual role in limiting parasite development and modulating immune responses at the maternal–fetal interface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research in Therapeutic Potentials of Venoms)
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