Search

Background Venomous snake bites cause acute medical emergencies and are fatal. India accounts for large proportion of snake-bite deaths globally. Medically important ‘BIG FOUR’ snakes of India are Bungarus caeruleus (krait), Naja naja (cobra), Echis carinatus (saw-scaled viper) and Daboia russelii (Russell's viper). Polyherbal formulations have been proved to be effective in treatment of diseases than a single formulation. Objective(s) To evaluate aqueous ethanolic extract cocktail of Azadirachata indica, Butea monosperma, Citrus limon, Clerodendrum serratum and Areca catechu for antidote potential against BIG FOUR venoms in ex vivo and in vivo model. Materials and methods Anti-hemorrhagic and venom neutralization studies were performed in seven-day old chick embryo model for ex vivo studies. In vivo studies were performed using male Swiss albino mice for antivenom potential of herbal cocktail by performing anti-edematic, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-myotoxic activity, and venom neutralization. Results Herbal cocktail exhibited differential venom inhibition potential against four venoms tested. Hemorrhagic activity was completely neutralized by the herbal cocktail; myotoxic activities of krait and Russell's viper venom were neutralized; while anti-edematic activity was observed for krait and cobra venom. Herbal cocktail completely neutralized venom lethality (3∗LD50) of krait and saw-scaled viper venom. Conclusion Inhibitions of various venom components of all four venoms suggests presence of phytochemicals in herbal cocktail with therapeutic properties. Further studies would help in the development of a formulation as a first-aid towards treatment of snake bite victims.

Anti-snake venom therapy is the only treatment for snake bite but leads to acute and chronic conditions which may be severe. The medicinal plants have gained importance over years to find an effective alternative to anti-snake venom. The present study focused on evaluating the potential of Clerodendrum serratum for the anti-snake venom activity. Phytochemicals were extracted from the C. serratum with different solvents. The ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts were found to neutralize the major enzyme toxins (phospholipase A 2 , protease and hyaluronidase) of Bungarus caeruleus and Daboia russelii venom at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The fibrinogenolytic activity of both the venoms were neutralized. The study proves that the plant C. serratum possesses certain compounds which inhibit the toxins present in the venom of B. caeruleus and D. russelii . Video Clip of Methodology : Hyaluronidase assay: 3 min 30 sec Full Screen Alternate

Azima tetracantha Lam. is native to Africa and India. The plant and its parts are used for treating various ailments including snake bites. The different concentrations of ethyl acetate leaf extract of A. tetracantha were used to neutralize the toxic effect of venom through dose dependent enzyme studies and in vivo studies. The extract was able to neutralize the 5’ nucleotidase, phospholipase A2, Phosphodiesterae, phosphomonoesterase, acetylcholinesterase and hyaluronidase in a dose dependent manner with concentrations ranging from 43.98 –340.1 μg/mL of extract. The extract could retain the lysis of fibrinogen at the concentration of 1:10 (venom: extract, w/w) and also the lysis of lecithin was reduced at a concentration of 1:25 (venom: extract, w/w). The extract was able to neutralize the LD50 of venom in both mice and embryo and also reduce the myotoxic and edema properties of the venom in mice models. The venom did not show any procoagulant and hemorrhagic effect. The leaf extract possess adequate compounds/phytochemicals that could neutralize the toxic properties/activity of the B. caeruleus venom.

We report a case of bilateral parotid enlargement and trismus due to the bite of common krait (Bungarus caeruleus). These clinical findings have not been reported in literature after the bite with this species.

Snake venoms are rich in enzymes such as phospholipase A2, proteolytic enzymes, hyaluronidases and phosphodiesterases, which are well characterized. However, L-amino acid oxidase (LAO EC.1.4.3.2) from snake venoms has not been extensively studied. A novel L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus venom was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ion-exchange by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex® G-100 column. The purified monomer of LAO showed a molecular mass of 55 ±1 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The specific activity of purified LAO was 6,230 ± 178 U/min/mg, versus 230 ± 3.0 U/min/mg for the whole desiccated venom, suggesting a 27-fold purification with a 25% yield. Optimal pH and temperature for maximum purified enzyme activity were 6.5 and 37ºC, respectively. Platelet aggregation studies show that purified LAO inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation dose-dependently at 0.01 to 0.1 µM with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.04 µM, whereas at a 0.08 µM concentration it did not induce appreciable aggregation on normal platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The purified protein catalyzed oxidative deamination of L-amino acids while the most specific substrate was L-leucine. The purified LAO oxidizes only L-forms, but not D-forms of amino acids, to produce H2O2. The enzyme is important for the purification and determination of certain amino acids and for the preparation of α-keto acids.

The neurotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus caeruleus causes a neuromuscular blockade on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation. Neuromuscular blockade produced by d-tubocurarine on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in an isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation was reversed to normal muscle twitch response in presence of neostigmine. Whereas the purified neurotoxin produced an irreversible neuromuscular blockade in presence of the same strength of neostigmine. As it is already known, botulinum toxin, which also brings about neuromuscular blockade, is effectively used as a drug in the treatment of painful movement disorders. Since the purified toxin also causes paralysis of the muscle, we propose its possible efficacy in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders.