Arachnid Venom Pharmacology and Toxicology: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

Arachnid venoms are bioactive molecular mixtures containing peptides, proteins, enzymes, and other bioactive compounds that interact with specific molecular and cellular targets. Their components can modulate ion channels, receptors, enzymes, and intracellular signaling pathways involved in neuronal activity, nociception, inflammation, immune responses, cell proliferation, and microbial viability. These properties make arachnid venoms relevant to the study of physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and to the identification of molecules with potential pharmacological applications. However, the biological activities, molecular targets, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic relevance of many venom components remain insufficiently characterized.Recent advances in venomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, structural biology, bioinformatics, and functional pharmacology provide complementary approaches for the systematic characterization of venom composition and activity. Integrating these approaches enables the identification of bioactive molecules, characterization of their mechanisms of action, and evaluation of their pharmacological and toxicological profiles. Despite advances in arachnid venom research, the relationships between venom composition, molecular targets, biological effects, and therapeutic potential remain incompletely understood.This Research Topic aims to bring together multidisciplinary research addressing the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms of arachnid venom components, from molecular interactions and cellular responses to physiological effects and therapeutic applications. We particularly welcome studies combining venomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, structural biology, bioinformatics, molecular pharmacology, and functional approaches to identify bioactive compounds, define their molecular targets and mechanisms of action, and characterize their pharmacological and toxicological profiles. By integrating these complementary approaches, this research topic seeks to advance the understanding of the biological activities of arachnid venoms and support the identification and characterization of venom derived molecules with potential applications in pharmacology and therapeutic development.This Research Topic welcomes contributions addressing the pharmacology and toxicology of arachnid venoms, with emphasis on venom composition, bioactive molecules, molecular targets, biological activities, mechanisms of action, toxicity, and therapeutic potential. Please note that all submissions to this Research Topic must maintain a clear research focus on identifying mechanisms of action or exploring potential therapeutic applications. Purely descriptive or profiling studies lacking mechanistic insight or therapeutic relevance fall outside the scope of this collection.Specific themes include:Venom composition and bioactive molecules, including peptides, proteins, enzymes, and other venom components, focused on elucidating mechanisms of action or therapeutic relevance.Venomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics applied to venom characterization to uncover mechanisms of action or discover therapeutic leads.Molecular targets and structure and function relationships, including ion channels, receptors, enzymes, and signaling pathways, to define mechanisms of action and therapeutic utility.Pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action, including neurotoxic, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti inflammatory, anticancer, and other biological activities with therapeutic potential.Toxicological mechanisms of envenomation, including cellular, physiological, and systemic pathways, aimed at identifying molecular mechanisms of action or therapeutic interventions.Venom derived molecules and therapeutic applications, including the identification, characterization, and evaluation of potential drug candidates.Studies using biochemical, molecular, cellular, electrophysiological, in vitro, in vivo, or integrative approaches are encouraged. All article types accepted by the journal are welcome, provided that submissions are relevant to this research topic and directly address mechanisms of action or potential therapeutic applications. Topic editors: Ayoub Lafnoune, Imane NAIT IRAHAL, Bouchra Darkaoui Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85682/arachnid-venom-pharmacology-and-toxicology-mechanisms-and-therapeutic-potential