The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells
Abstract
Excessive generations of apoptosis and oxygen free radicals (OFRs) are two main common reasons of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A homeopathic preparation of the Tarantula Cubensis spider venom is Theranekron (TNE). The antiapoptotic and antioxidant actions of TNE were indicated in different disease models except AMD. We investigated the protective actions of TNE and TRPM2 antagonist (N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid, ACA) on AMD (sodium iodate [NaIO3])-mediated apoptosis and oxidative toxicity in ARPE-19 cells.
The ARPE-19 cells were incubated for 24 h in five primary groups: control, 108 ug/mL TNE, 10 mM NaIO3, NaIO3 + TNE, and NaIO3 + ACA.
The NaIO3 treatment increased markers of apoptosis (caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9) and oxidative stress (OFRs and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction), while diminishing cell viability. The treatments of TNE and ACA decreased the NaIO3-induced increases of apoptotic and oxidant markers, although the treatments increased cell viability.
In conclusion, TNE and ACA treatments reduced NaIO3-caused oxidative degeneration and apoptosis in the ARPE-19 cells. TNE is a possible treatment for AMD-induced apoptosis and OFR production.
Keywords
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Apoptotic oxidative degeneration
- Tarantula cubenis spider venom
- TRPM2 channel antagonist
Supporting Institution
None
Project Number
None
Ethical Statement
Neither human subjects nor animal samples are used in this paper.
Thanks
None
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
August 20, 2026
Submission Date
June 26, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 18 Number: 2
APA
Argun, M., & Çelik, Ö. (2026). The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. Journal of Cellular Neuroscience and Oxidative Stress, 18(2), 1328-1335. https://doi.org/10.37212/jcnos.1979759
AMA
1.Argun M, Çelik Ö. The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. J Cell Neurosci Oxid Stress. 2026;18(2):1328-1335. doi:10.37212/jcnos.1979759
Chicago
Argun, Mehmet, and Ömer Çelik. 2026. “The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells”. Journal of Cellular Neuroscience and Oxidative Stress 18 (2): 1328-35. https://doi.org/10.37212/jcnos.1979759.
EndNote
Argun M, Çelik Ö (August 1, 2026) The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. Journal of Cellular Neuroscience and Oxidative Stress 18 2 1328–1335.
IEEE
[1]M. Argun and Ö. Çelik, “The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells”, J Cell Neurosci Oxid Stress, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 1328–1335, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.37212/jcnos.1979759.
ISNAD
Argun, Mehmet - Çelik, Ömer. “The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells”. Journal of Cellular Neuroscience and Oxidative Stress 18/2 (August 1, 2026): 1328-1335. https://doi.org/10.37212/jcnos.1979759.
JAMA
1.Argun M, Çelik Ö. The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. J Cell Neurosci Oxid Stress. 2026;18:1328–1335.
MLA
Argun, Mehmet, and Ömer Çelik. “The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells”. Journal of Cellular Neuroscience and Oxidative Stress, vol. 18, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 1328-35, doi:10.37212/jcnos.1979759.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Argun, Ömer Çelik. The Venom of Tarantula Cubensis (Theranekron) Reduces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Toxicity Caused by NaIO3–Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. J Cell Neurosci Oxid Stress. 2026 Aug. 1;18(2):1328-35. doi:10.37212/jcnos.1979759