Effects Potentials of Commercial Edible Heterometrus Spinifer in Vitro

In this investigation, the genotoxic and oxidative effects of water soluble extracts of Heterometrus spinifer (Malaysian Forest Scorpion) has been assessed on cultured human blood cells. The extract was added to the cultures at 12 different concentrations (0-2000 mg/L). Micronucleus (MN) test was used to monitor the DNA and chromosomal damage produced by scorpion extracts in vitro. In addition, to assess the oxidative effects, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were measured. Our results indicated that these extracts did not show genotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. However, the extracts caused dose dependent alterations in both TAC and TOS levels. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the studied scorpion can be consumed safely, but it is necessary to consider the cellular damages which are likely to appear depending on oxidative stress at higher concentrations. It has been also suggested that this in vitro approach for oxidative and genotoxicity assessments may be useful to evaluate the potential health risks of edible scorpion.