Efficacy of levamisole and Tarantula cubensis venom for the treatment of bovine cutaneous papillomatosis

A retrospective case series of the surgical management of thirty-one penile fibropapilloma cases presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital (UCDVH) between 2017 and 2023

BACKGROUND

Penile fibropapilloma is a condition caused by bovine papilloma virus and is frequently encountered in young bulls. Penile fibropapillomatosis is thought to be spread through homosexual mounting behaviour. Fibropapillomas of the penis are painful, often bleed and can impede normal intromission. Treatment may range from allowing time for slow, spontaneous regression to surgical resection but recurrence following surgery is reported by some authors.

CASE PRESENTATION

Thirty one bulls that were presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital from March 2017 to March 2023 for surgical resection of penile fibropapillomas were included in this retrospective case series. Twenty-seven of the 31 bulls (87%) were under two years of age. The majority (42%) of bulls presented were Hereford, but Angus, Charolais, Holstein-Friesian and Limousin breeds were also seen. Following examination and diagnosis of penile fibropapilloma, regional anaesthesia (xylazine-procaine epidural and internal pudendal nerve block) and standing surgical intervention (resection and cautery) was performed in each case. Phone call follow-up was performed by one author (EET) in all 31 cases and 2 cases out of the 28 that were contactable showed post-surgical recurrence of penile fibropapillomatosis (i.e., 7.1% recurrence rate).

CONCLUSION

This case series summarises the history and presenting findings of 31 bovine penile fibropapilloma cases and describes a regional anaesthetic and standing surgical approach for successful case management.

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Effects of Tarantula cubensis Extract on Mucosal Healing in Rats

Oral mucosal lesions are a common pathology that impact the quality of life due to pain, inappetence, weight loss, and low productivity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Tarantula cubensis extract on wound healing in rats with buccal mucosal lesions. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 g were used in the study. The rats were divided into four equal groups. A 3 mm diameter mucosal defect was created in the buccal mucosa of each rat. Groups one and three (controls) assessed spontaneous healing at 3 and 6 days post trauma, respectively. Groups two and four (treatment) received 0.2 ml T. cubensis extract subcutaneously. Group two was treated for 2 days and assessed at 3 days and group four was treated for 5 days and assessed at 6 days. All rats were euthanatized prior to tissue sample collection. Tissue samples were compared between control and treatment groups using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Tissue samples taken from the defect areas were immunohistochemically evaluated for cytokeratin and collagen expressions. In both the 3 and 6 day treatment groups, the improvements were statistically different compared to the control groups. T. cubensis extract was found to increase cytokeratin and collagen in both epithelial and connective tissue and to have a significant healing effect on mucosa on both gross and microscopic findings.

The effects of tarantula cubensis extract on renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) related acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important health problem and has not yet been fully treated. Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE) is a homeopathic drug that has antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TCE on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODS

This study was carried out on 48 Spraque-Dawley male rats, which were divided into six groups. The first, second, and third groups were control, sham, and IR groups, respectively. Group four received IR and 0.2 mL of 96% ethanol. Group five and six received ischemia and reperfusion and TCE 0.01 and 0.1 mg per rat (which correspond to approximately 0.04 mg/kg, and 0.4 mg/kg), respectively. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in renal tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative stress index (OSI) was obtained by proportioning TAS and TOS. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by manual spectrophotometric methods. The histopathological changes were evaluated via hematoxylineosin and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

In IR group, renal tissue TNF-α and IL-1β levels were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.0001 for both), and low(p < 0.0001 for both) and high dose (p < 0.0001 for both) TCE administration decreased these markers. Low and high doses of TCE decreased OSI values compared with IR group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001 respectively). Although TCE decreased MDA levels, it was not statistically significant. MPO levels significantly decreased. In addition, TCE has been found to prevent hemorrhage, cast formation, and dilatation caused by IR in renal tissues stained with hematoxylin-eosin. And also, the most intense nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and caspase-3 immunopositivity found in IR group was decreased in both of the TCE groups.

DISCUSSION

Although TCE showed a protective effect by inhibiting inflammation against IR damage in renal tissues, there was no clear effect on oxidative stress. Larger and more detailed studies are needed to clarify the issue.

Effect of intravesical tarantula cubensis extract (Theranekron) on inflammation in an interstitial cystitis rat model

OBJECTIVES

To reveal the histopathological and immunological outcomes of intravesical treatment with tarantula cubensis extract (TCE) in a rat model of interstitial cystitis.

METHODS

A total of 30 female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (control group), group 2 (disease group), and group 3 (treatment group). The rat model of interstitial cystitis was created by biweekly intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide (CYP). In group 3, TCE (a venom extracted from a brown spider known as tarantula cubensis) was administered intravesically after the model had been created. Urothelial degeneration, necrosis, ulcer, bleeding, edema, inflammation and mast cell count, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and hydroxyproline parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

All parameters were found to be lower in the rats in group 1 than in the other groups, and IL-6 and MPO values were found to be higher in group 2 (p < .001). The mean TNF-alpha value was highest in group 2 (p = .078). No difference was found between all groups regarding ulcer (p = .087). Urothelial degeneration, necrosis, edema, inflammation, hemorrhage and fibroblast proliferations, and hydroxyproline values were higher in group 3 (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravesical TCE instillation produces an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the levels of inflammatory parameters such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and MPO in bladder tissue. It also accelerates tissue healing by increasing hydroxyproline and fibroblast proliferation.

Tarantula cubensis extract (Theranekron®) ınhibits ınflammation in carrageenan-ınduced acute paw edema in rats

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of alcoholic extract of Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract (TCAE) in experimentally induced inflammation in rats. Fifty-four adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into nine groups. Paw edema was induced by 0.2mL subplantar (s.p.) injection of 1% carrageenan (CAR) into the right hind paw. Rats were treated with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin (INDO) (10mg/kg, p.o.) or TCAE at different doses (1, 10 or 100µg/kg) injected s.c. for systemic or s.p. for local anti-inflammatory effect. Saline was used as control. Changes in paw thickness, volume, and weight were calculated as percentages. Formalin-fixed paws were used for histopathological examination. We detected that TCAE applied s.c. at 10µg/kg and 100µg/kg doses resulted in thinner paw thickness, lower paw volume, and lower paw weights four hours after the induction of inflammation when compared with the INDO group (p<0.05). The paw edema inhibitory effect of TCAE applied at a dose of 10µg/kg, s.c. was 68% when compared with the INDO which had an inhibitory effect of 56%. These results were verified with similar histopathological findings. The anti-inflammatory feature of 10µg/kg of TCAE given systematically was similar to the effects of INDO. Our results suggest that TCAE has anti-inflammatory effects by reducing edema and decreasing inflammatory reaction. These results may be attributed to the inhibition of the production of proinflammatory mediators. Thus, TCAE may be considered as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for treating acute inflammatory conditions.

Novel application of Theranekron® enhanced the structural and functional performance of the tenotomized tendon in rabbits

The effects of Tarantula cubensis extract (TC; Theranekron®) on the experimentally induced rupture of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) 28 days post-injury (DPI) was studied in rabbits. Forty mature White New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. TC was repeatedly injected subcutaneously over the lesion 3, 7 and 10 days after tenotomy and surgical anastomosis. Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations were conducted at weekly intervals. The animals were euthanized 28 DPI and the tendons were investigated for macroscopic, histopathologic, ultrastructural, biomechanical and percent dry weight parameters. Treatment reduced signs of acute inflammation and strongly ameliorated clinical symptoms, structural organization and biomechanical properties (p < 0.05). Apparently, TC is effective in restoring the clinical, morphological and biomechanical properties of the injured SDFT in rabbits and may be valuable in human and veterinary medicine.