Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, enzymes, carbohydrates, and minerals. They contain a variety of chemicals with pharmacological and toxicological properties. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against toxins and microbes. Antibacterial and anticancer proteins produced by snake venom have recently attracted significant attention due to their relevance to...

The cytotoxic properties of cytotoxins (CTs) from snake venom are mediated by their interaction with the cell membrane. The hydrophobic pattern containing the tips of loops I-III and flanked by polar residues is known to be a membrane-binding motif of CTs. However, this is not enough to explain the difference in activity among various CTs which are similar in sequence and in 3D structure. The m...

This study evaluated factors affecting the severity of bite site necrosis and systemic symptoms resulting from envenomation among patients bitten by Thai cobras (Naja kaouthia) in Thailand. We studied 45 victims prospectively. An additional 40 medical records were obtained for a retrospective study. Collected data included gender of the victims, anatomic locations of bites, where attacks took p...

We report first case of melanism in Naja naja from Goa. Identification snake is done based on meristic data collected the specimen. Appropriate documentation these types individuals will farther our understanding this phenomenon.

The venom of Pakistan species of snakes (Naja naja, Vipera russelli and Echis carinatus) and lethal fractions of Cobra (Naja naja) venom were converted to toxoid with formalin. Detoxification of the crude venoms and toxic fraction was attained by addition of formalin in several steps and incubation at 37°C maintaining the pH 7.0. Relationship of formalin concentration and incubation period was ...

Coix lacryma-jobi, commonly known as job's tear, is a tall grain-bearing tropical plant of the family Poaceae. The ethanolic root extract (ERE) of the plant was investigated for the first time for anti-venom activity against Indian cobra Naja naja venom. In-vitro studies were conducted to determine neutralization of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity of the Naja naja venom by the ERE. ERE showed ...

Secretory phospholipasesA(2) (sPLA(2)s) form a large family of structurally related enzymes widespread in nature. Herein, we studied the inhibitory effects of sPLA(2)s from Vipera lebetina (VLPLA(2)), Vipera berus berus (VBBPLA(2)), and Naja naja oxiana (NNOPLA(2)) venoms on (i) human platelets, (ii) four different bacterial strains (gram-negative Escherichia coli and Vibrio fischeri; gram-pos...