Research Article

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

Volume: 18 Number: 2 August 20, 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

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

Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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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