Toxin-derived peptides: An unconventional approach to alleviating cerebral stroke burden and neurobehavioral impairments

Cerebral stroke is a pressing global health concern, ranking as the second leading cause of mortality and resulting in persistent neurobehavioral impairments. Cerebral strokes, triggered by various embolic events, initiate complex signaling pathways involving neuroexcitotoxicity, ionic imbalances, inflammation, oxidative stress, acidosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to programmed cell death. Currently, the FDA has approved tissue plasminogen activator as a relatively benign intervention for cerebral stroke, leaving a significant treatment gap. However, a promising avenue has emerged from Earth's toxic creatures. Animal venoms harbor bioactive molecules, particularly neuropeptides, with potential in innovative healthcare applications. These venomous components, affecting ion channels, receptors, and transporters, encompass neurochemicals, amino acids, and peptides, making them prime candidates for treating cerebral ischemia and neurological disorders. This review explores the composition, applications, and significance of toxin-derived peptides as viable therapeutic agents. It also investigates diverse toxins from select venomous creatures, with the primary objective of shedding light on current stroke treatments and paving the way for pioneering therapeutic strategies capable of addressing neurobehavioral deficits. [Display omitted] •Cerebral stroke is the second leading global cause of mortality, resulting in persistent neurobehavioral impairments.•Venomous creatures offer potential bioactive molecules, like neuropeptides, for innovative cerebral stroke treatments.•Current stroke treatment options, like tissue plasminogen activator, leave a significant treatment gap.•Venom-derived peptides target ion channels, receptors, and transporters, promising new treatments for neurological disorders.•Future prospects include exploring animal toxins as neurotherapeutics to address neurobehavioral deficits in stroke patients.