Fig. 3
Effect of the scorpion venom A. amoreuxi on mice inflamed foot paw tissues induced by carrageenan. a Normal control group: mice (n = 6) were intraperitonially (IP) injected with 0.9% NaCl. One hour later, animals received intraplantar (IPL) injection of 50 μL of 0.9% NaCl and scarified after 5 h from injection. Paw skin of control animal consists of three main layers: an external epithelium (epidermis), a layer of connective tissue (dermis), and a layer of adipose tissue (subcutaneous layer or hypodermis). There is also a thin layer of striated muscles separates the skin from other structures. b Carrageenan control group: mice (n = 6) were IP injected with 0.9% NaCl. One hour later, animals received IP injection of 50 μL of carrageenan (1%) and scarified after 5 h from injection. Animal paw skin shows the dermis was markedly infiltrated with inflammatory cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and some lymphocytes. Some areas showed loosely arranged connective tissue (edema). c A. amoreuxi venom-treated group: mice (n = 6) were IP injected with 0.22 mg/kg (1/5 LD50) of scorpion venom. One hour later, animals received IPL injection of 50 μL of carrageenan and scarified 5 h post-injection. Paw skin of treated animals was moderately infiltrated with inflammatory cells like neutrophils, macrophages, and some lymphocytes. d Diclofenac-treated group: mice (n = 6) were IP injected with 1 mg/kg of diclofenac sodium. One hour later, animals received injection of 50 μL (IPL injection) of carrageenan and scarified 5 h post-injection. The dermis of animals received diclofenac was characterized by minimum infiltration with some neutrophils, and lymphocytes. (H&E, magnification × 400)