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Gyawu VB, Firempong CK, Hamidu JA, Tetteh AY, Ti-Baliana Martha NJ, Yingshu F, Yi Z. Production and evaluation of monovalent anti-snake immunoglobulins from chicken egg yolk using Ghanaian puff adder (Bitis arietans) Venom: Isolation, purification, and neutralization efficacy. Toxicon 2023; 231:107180. [PMID: 37290727 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Snakebites are rampant in Ghana, especially among the farmers, herdsmen, military recruits, hunters, and rural dwellers, and the antisnake venoms (ASV) use to treat these bites are not locally produced but rather imported, which come with a high cost, lack of constant supply and low specificity. The study was therefore aimed at isolating, purifying, and evaluating the efficacy of monovalent ASV from chicken egg yolk using puff adder (Bitis arietans) venom from Ghana. The major pathophysiological properties of the venom and the efficacy of the locally produced ASV were evaluated. The results showed that the snake venom (LD50 of 0.85 mg/kg body weight) had anticoagulant, haemorrhagic, and edematic activities in mice which were effectively neutralized using the purified egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY), with two distinct molecular weight bands (∼70 and 25 kDa). The cross-neutralization studies also showed that the venom/IgY mixture (2.55 mg/kg body weight: 90 mg/kg body weight) offered 100% protection to the animals with ED50 of IgY being 22.66 mg/kg body weight. However, the applied dose (11.36 mg/kg body weight) of the available polyvalent ASV offered 25% protection compared with the 62% protection of the IgY at the same dose. The findings showed successful isolation and purification of a Ghanaian monovalent ASV with a better neutralization efficacy compared with the clinically available polyvalent drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Baffour Gyawu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Caleb Kesse Firempong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Jacob Alhassan Hamidu
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Antonia Yarney Tetteh
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Zou Yi
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR China
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Godoi KSD, Guidolin FR, Portaro FCV, Spencer PJ, da Silva WD. Anti-Metalloproteases: Production and Characterization of Polyclonal IgG Anti-F2 Fraction Antibodies Purified from the Venom of the Snake Bitis arietans. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15040264. [PMID: 37104202 PMCID: PMC10145261 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitis arietans is a medically important snake found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The envenomation is characterized by local and systemic effects, and the lack of antivenoms aggravates the treatment. This study aimed to identify venom toxins and develop antitoxins. The F2 fraction obtained from Bitis arietans venom (BaV) demonstrated the presence of several proteins in its composition, including metalloproteases. Titration assays carried out together with the immunization of mice demonstrated the development of anti-F2 fraction antibodies by the animals. The determination of the affinity of antibodies against different Bitis venoms was evaluated, revealing that only BaV had peptides recognized by anti-F2 fraction antibodies. In vivo analyses demonstrated the hemorrhagic capacity of the venom and the effectiveness of the antibodies in inhibiting up to 80% of the hemorrhage and 0% of the lethality caused by BaV. Together, the data indicate: (1) the prevalence of proteins that influence hemostasis and envenomation; (2) the effectiveness of antibodies in inhibiting specific activities of BaV; and (3) isolation and characterization of toxins can become crucial steps in the development of new alternative treatments. Thus, the results obtained help in understanding the envenoming mechanism and may be useful for the study of new complementary therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrick Jack Spencer
- Biotechnology Center, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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Husain Z, Wicaksono AC, Renault A, Md Zhahir SS, Ismail AK. A case of fatal envenomation by a captive puff adder (Bitis arietans) in Malaysia. Toxicon 2023; 224:107023. [PMID: 36640813 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) is a viper native to Africa and the Middle East. Envenomation by this species often requires the administration of appropriate antivenom in order to achieve a favorable outcome. A patient was bitten in both hands by a captive B. arietans presented to a teaching hospital in Malaysia. The patient developed painful progressive swelling on both limbs that extended to the chest, hypotension, hypokalemia with worsening anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and severe metabolic acidosis. The patient was managed supportively while waiting for the appropriate antivenom, Antivipmyn-Africa, from the Singapore Zoo. The patient developed cardiorespiratory arrest twice and did not recover from the second. The patient was pronounced dead 23 hours post-incident. The local unavailability of the appropriate antivenom may be the most important factor that contributed to the patient's death. There is also a need to amend the Malaysian Wildlife Act in order to prevent such cases from recurring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulfahimi Husain
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Aji Caesar Wicaksono
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Asyhok Renault
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Sarah Md Zhahir
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Khaldun Ismail
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Offor BC, Muller B, Piater LA. A Review of the Proteomic Profiling of African Viperidae and Elapidae Snake Venoms and Their Antivenom Neutralisation. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110723. [PMID: 36355973 PMCID: PMC9694588 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that results from the injection of snake venom of a venomous snake into animals and humans. In Africa (mainly in sub-Saharan Africa), over 100,000 envenomings and over 10,000 deaths per annum from snakebite have been reported. Difficulties in snakebite prevention and antivenom treatment are believed to result from a lack of epidemiological data and underestimated figures on snakebite envenoming-related morbidity and mortality. There are species- and genus-specific variations associated with snake venoms in Africa and across the globe. These variations contribute massively to diverse differences in venom toxicity and pathogenicity that can undermine the efficacy of adopted antivenom therapies used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming. There is a need to profile all snake venom proteins of medically important venomous snakes endemic to Africa. This is anticipated to help in the development of safer and more effective antivenoms for the treatment of snakebite envenoming within the continent. In this review, the proteomes of 34 snake venoms from the most medically important snakes in Africa, namely the Viperidae and Elipdae, were extracted from the literature. The toxin families were grouped into dominant, secondary, minor, and others based on the abundance of the protein families in the venom proteomes. The Viperidae venom proteome was dominated by snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs-41%), snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs-16%), and phospholipase A2 (PLA2-17%) protein families, while three-finger toxins (3FTxs-66%) and PLA2s (16%) dominated those of the Elapidae. We further review the neutralisation of these snake venoms by selected antivenoms widely used within the African continent. The profiling of African snake venom proteomes will aid in the development of effective antivenom against snakebite envenoming and, additionally, could possibly reveal therapeutic applications of snake venom proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict C. Offor
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - Beric Muller
- South Africa Venom Suppliers CC, Louis Trichardt 0920, South Africa
| | - Lizelle A. Piater
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-11-559-2403
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Zukifli NA, Ibrahim Z, Othman I, Ismail AK, Chaisakul J, Hodgson WC, Ahmad Rusmili MR. In Vitro neurotoxicity and myotoxicity of Malaysian Naja sumatrana and Naja kaouthia venoms: Neutralization by monovalent and Neuro Polyvalent Antivenoms from Thailand. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274488. [PMID: 36094937 PMCID: PMC9467353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Naja sumatrana and Naja kaouthia are medically important elapids species found in Southeast Asia. Snake bite envenoming caused by these species may lead to morbidity or mortality if not treated with the appropriate antivenom. In this study, the in vitro neurotoxic and myotoxic effects N. sumatrana and N. kaouthia venoms from Malaysian specimens were assessed and compared. In addition, the neutralizing capability of Cobra Antivenom (CAV), King Cobra Antivenom (KCAV) and Neuro Polyvalent Antivenom (NPAV) from Thailand were compared. Both venoms produced concentration-dependent neurotoxic and myotoxic effects in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Based on the time to cause 90% inhibition of twitches (i.e. t90) N. kaouthia venom displayed more potent neurotoxic and myotoxic effects than N. sumatrana venom. All three of the antivenoms significantly attenuated venom-induced twitch reduction of indirectly stimulated tissues when added prior to venom. When added after N. sumatrana venom, at the t90 time point, CAV and NPAV partially restored the twitch height but has no significant effect on the reduction in twitch height caused by N. kaouthia venom. The addition of KCAV, at the t90 time point, did not reverse the attenuation of indirectly stimulated twitches caused by either venom. In addition, none of the antivenoms, when added prior to venom, prevented attenuation of directly stimulated twitches. Differences in the capability of antivenoms, especially NPAV and CAV, to reverse neurotoxicity and myotoxicity indicate that there is a need to isolate and characterize neurotoxins and myotoxins from Malaysian N. kaouthia and N. sumatrana venoms to improve neutralization capability of the antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Asyikin Zukifli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, Kuantan Campus, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Zalikha Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, Kuantan Campus, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Khaldun Ismail
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Janeyuth Chaisakul
- Department of Pharmacology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wayne C. Hodgson
- Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Muhamad Rusdi Ahmad Rusmili
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, Kuantan Campus, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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Youngman NJ, Peng YH, Harris RJ, Jones L, Llinas J, Haworth M, Gillett A, Fry BG. Differential coagulotoxic and neurotoxic venom activity from species of the arboreal viperid snake genus Bothriechis (palm-pitvipers). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 256:109326. [PMID: 35248757 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The viperid snake genus Bothriechis consists of eleven species distributed among Central and South America, living across low and high-altitude habitats. Despite Bothriechis envenomations being prominent across the Central and South American region, the functional effects of Bothriechis venoms are poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the coagulotoxic and neurotoxic activities of Bothriechis venoms to fill this knowledge gap. Coagulotoxic investigations revealed Bothriechis nigroviridis and B. schlegelii to have pseudo-procoagulant venom activity, forming weak clots that rapidly break down, thereby depleting fibrinogen levels and thus contributing to a net anticoagulant state. While one sample of B. lateralis also showed weaker pseudo-procoagulant activity, directly clotting fibrinogen, two samples of B. lateralis venom were anticoagulant through the inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa activity. Differential efficacy of PoliVal-ICP antivenom was also observed, with the pseudo-procoagulant effect of B. nigroviridis venom poorly neutralised, despite this same activity in the venom of B. schlegelii being effectively neutralised. Significant specificity of these fibrinogen cleaving toxins was also observed, with no activity upon model amphibian, avian, lizard or rodent plasma observed. However, upon avian plasma the venom of B. nigroviridis exerted a complete anticoagulant effect, in contrast to the pseudo-procoagulant effect seen on human plasma. Neurotoxic investigations revealed B. schlegelii to be unique among the genus in having potent binding to the orthosteric site of the alpha-1 postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (with B. lateralis having a weaker but still discernible effect). This represents the first identification of postsynaptic nAChR neurotoxic activity for Bothriechis. In conclusion this study identifies notable differential activity within the coagulotoxic and postsynaptic neurotoxic activity of Bothriechis venoms, supporting previous research, and highlights the need for further studies with respect to antivenom efficacy as well as coagulotoxin specificity for Bothriechis venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Youngman
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Yin-Hsuan Peng
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Harris
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lee Jones
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Mark Haworth
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- FaunaVet Wildlife Consultancy, Glass House Mountains, QLD 4518, Australia
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Larson PS, Ndemwa M, Thomas AF, Tamari N, Diela P, Changoma M, Mohamed A, Larson MC, Ketenci KC, Goto K, Kaneko S. Snakebite victim profiles and treatment-seeking behaviors in two regions of Kenya: results from a health demographic surveillance system. Trop Med Health 2022; 50:31. [PMID: 35488352 PMCID: PMC9052588 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-022-00421-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Snakebites are a major cause of permanent injury and death among poor, rural populations in developing countries, including those in East Africa. This research characterizes snakebite incidence, risk factors, and subsequent health-seeking behaviors in two regions of Kenya using a mixed methods approach. METHODS As a part of regular activities of a health demographic surveillance system, household-level survey on snakebite incidence was conducted in two areas of Kenya: Kwale along the Kenyan Coast and Mbita on Lake Victoria. If someone in the home was reported to have been bitten in the 5 years previous to the visit, a survey instrument was administered. The survey gathered contextual information on the bite, treatment-seeking behavior and clinical manifestations. To obtain deeper, contextual information, respondents were also asked to narrate the bite incident, subsequent behavior and outcomes. RESULTS 8775 and 9206 households were surveyed in Kwale and Mbita, respectively. Out of these, 453 (5.17%) and 92 (1.00%) households reported that at least one person had been bitten by a snake in the past 5 years. Deaths from snakebites were rare (4.04%), but patterns of treatment seeking varied. Treatment at formal care facilities were sought for 50.8% and at traditional healers for 53.3%. 18.4% sought treatment from both sources. Victims who delayed receiving treatment from a formal facility were more likely to have consulted a traditional healer (OR 8.8995% CI [3.83, 20.64]). Delays in treatment seeking were associated with significantly increased odds of having a severe outcome, including death, paralysis or loss of consciousness (OR 3.47 95% CI [1.56; 7.70]). CONCLUSION Snakebite incidence and outcomes vary by region in Kenya, and treatment-seeking behaviors are complex. Work needs to be done to better characterize the spatial distribution of snakebite incidence in Kenya and efforts need to be made to ensure that victims have sufficient access to effective treatments to prevent death and serious injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Larson
- Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine-Kenya Medical Research Institute (NUITM-KEMRI) Project, Kenya, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan. .,Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Morris Ndemwa
- Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine-Kenya Medical Research Institute (NUITM-KEMRI) Project, Kenya, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Aleksandra F Thomas
- University of Michigan, Literature, Science and the Arts, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Noriko Tamari
- Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine-Kenya Medical Research Institute (NUITM-KEMRI) Project, Kenya, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Paul Diela
- Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine-Kenya Medical Research Institute (NUITM-KEMRI) Project, Kenya, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mwatasa Changoma
- Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine-Kenya Medical Research Institute (NUITM-KEMRI) Project, Kenya, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan.,Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Kaan Cem Ketenci
- University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kensuke Goto
- Division of Health and Safety Sciences Education, Osaka Kyoiku University, Osaka, Japan
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Youngman NJ, Lewin MR, Carter R, Naude A, Fry BG. Efficacy and Limitations of Chemically Diverse Small-Molecule Enzyme-Inhibitors against the Synergistic Coagulotoxic Activities of Bitis Viper Venoms. Molecules 2022; 27:1733. [PMID: 35268832 PMCID: PMC8911647 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite remains a significant public health burden globally, disproportionately affecting low-income and impoverished regions of the world. Recently, researchers have begun to focus on the use of small-molecule inhibitors as potential candidates for the neutralisation of key snake venom toxins and as potential field therapies. Bitis vipers represent some of the most medically important as well as frequently encountered snake species in Africa, with a number of species possessing anticoagulant phospholipase A2 (PLA2) toxins that prevent the prothrombinase complex from inducing clot formation. Additionally, species within the genus are known to exert pseudo-procoagulant activity, whereby kallikrein enzymatic toxins cleave fibrinogen to form a weak fibrin clot that rapidly degrades, thereby depleting fibrinogen levels and contributing to the net anticoagulant state. Utilising well-validated coagulation assays measuring time until clot formation, this study addresses the in vitro efficacy of three small molecule enzyme inhibitors (marimastat, prinomastat and varespladib) in neutralising these aforementioned activities. The PLA2 inhibitor varespladib showed the greatest efficacy for the neutralisation of PLA2-driven anticoagulant venom activity, with the metalloproteinase inhibitors prinomastat and marimastat both showing low and highly variable degrees of cross-neutralisation with PLA2 anticoagulant toxicity. However, none of the inhibitors showed efficacy in neutralising the pseudo-procoagulant venom activity exerted by the venom of B. caudalis. Our results highlight the complex nature of snake venoms, for which single-compound treatments will not be universally effective, but combinations might prove highly effective. Despite the limitations of these inhibitors with regards to in vitro kallikrein enzyme pseudo-procoagulant venom activity, our results further support the growing body of literature indicating the potential use of small molecule inhibitors to enhance first-aid treatment of snakebite envenoming, particularly in cases where hospital and thus antivenom treatment is either unavailable or far away.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Youngman
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Matthew R. Lewin
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA;
- Ophirex Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA;
| | | | - Arno Naude
- Snakebite Assist, Pretoria ZA-0001, South Africa;
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Antiprotozoal Effect of Snake Venoms and Their Fractions: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121632. [PMID: 34959587 PMCID: PMC8707848 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Protozoal infection is a lingering public health issue of great concern, despite efforts to produce drugs and vaccines against it. Recent breakthrough research has discovered alternative antiprotozoal agents encompassing the use of snake venoms and their components to cure these infections. This study collated the existing literature to examine the antiprotozoal effect of snake venoms and their fractions. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched from their inception until 13 October 2021. Articles were screened at the title, abstract and full-text phases. Some additional studies were obtained through the manual search process. Results: We identified 331 studies via the electronic database and manual searches, of which 55 reporting the antiprotozoal effect of snake venoms and their components were included in the review. Around 38% of studies examined the effect of whole crude venoms, and a similar percentage evaluated the effect of a proportion of enzymatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2). In particular, this review reports around 36 PLA2 activities and 29 snake crude venom activities. We also report the notable phenomenon of synergism with PLA2 isoforms of Bothrops asper. Importantly, limited attention has been given so far to the antiprotozoal efficacies of metalloproteinase, serine protease and three-finger toxins, although these venom components have been identified as significant components of the dominant venom families. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of snake venoms and their fractions on controlling protozoal infections and suggests the need to examine further the effectiveness of other venom components, such as metalloproteinase, serine protease and three-finger toxins. Future research questions in this field must be redirected toward synergism in snake venom components, based on pharmacological usage and in the context of toxicology. Ascertaining the effects of snake venoms and their components on other protozoal species that have not yet been studied is imperative.
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Proença-Assunção JDC, Farias-de-França AP, Tribuiani N, Cogo JC, Collaço RDC, Randazzo-Moura P, Consonni SR, Chaud MV, Dos Santos CA, Oshima-Franco Y. The Influence of Silver Nanoparticles Against Toxic Effects of Philodryas olfersii Venom. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:3555-3564. [PMID: 34079248 PMCID: PMC8164871 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s293366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose A silver nanoparticle obtained by reducing salts with solid dispersion of curcumin (130 nm, 0.081 mg mL−1) was used to counteract against the toxic – edematogenic, myotoxic, and neurotoxic – effects of Philodryas olfersii venom. Methods The edematogenic effect was evaluated by plasma extravasation in rat dorsal skin after injection of 50 µg per site of venom alone or preincubated with 1, 10, and 100 µL of AgNPs; the myotoxicity was evaluated by measuring the creatine kinase released into the organ-bath before the treatment and at the end of each experiment; and neurotoxicity was evaluated in chick biventer cervicis using the conventional myographic technique, face to the exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) and potassium chloride (KCl) added into the bath before the treatment and after each experiment. Preliminarily, a concentration-response curve of AgNPs was carried out to select the concentration to be used for neutralizing assays, which consists of neutralizing the venom-induced neuromuscular paralysis and edema by preincubating AgNPs with venom for 30 min. Results The P. olfersii venom-induced edema (n=6) and a complete neuromuscular blockade (n=4) that includes the total and unrecovered block of ACh and KCl contractures. AgNPs produced a concentration-dependent decrease the venom-induced edema (n=6) from 223.3% to 134.4% and to 100.5% after 10 and 100 µL AgNPs-preincubation, respectively. The preincubation of venom with AgNPs (1 µL; n=6) was able to maintain 46.5 ± 10.9% of neuromuscular response under indirect stimuli, 39.2 ± 9.7% of extrinsic nicotinic receptors functioning in absence of electrical stimulus and 28.3 ± 8.1% of responsiveness to potassium on the sarcolemmal membrane. The CK release was not affected by any experimental protocol which was like control. Conclusion AgNPs interact with constituents of P. olfersii venom responsible for the edema-forming activity and neuromuscular blockade, but not on the sarcolemma membrane-acting constituents. The protective effect of the studied AgNPs on avian preparation points out to molecular targets as intrinsic and extrinsic nicotinic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natalia Tribuiani
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (Uniso), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Jose Carlos Cogo
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Programs, Technological and Scientific Institute, Brazil University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Collaço
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila Randazzo-Moura
- Department of Surgery, Pontifícia Universidade Católica De São Paulo (PUCSP), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Sílvio Roberto Consonni
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marco Vinicius Chaud
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (Uniso), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Yoko Oshima-Franco
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (Uniso), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
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Imam TS, Tukur Z, Bala AA, Ahmad NB, Ugya AY. In vitro trichomonocidal potency of Naja nigricollis and Bitis arietans snake venom. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2021.6-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Trichomonas vaginalis drug's limited efficacy and high toxicity, justify the need to explore other therapeutic agents, including animal toxins. In this study, the Naja nigricollis and Bitis arietans snake venoms were used to assess such trichomonocidal effect.
Materials and Methods: The median lethal dose (LD50) value for both snake species was calculated by probit analysis using a statistical package for the sciences version 20.0 with an LD50 of 4.04 μg/mL for the N. nigricollis, and no mortality was observed in the B. arietans envenomed rats.
Results: The trichomonocidal potency of the snake venom on T. vaginalis was evident with a growth inhibitory concentration of 89% with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.805 μg/mL in B. arietans while 95% for N. nigricollis at an IC50 of 0.411 μg/mL.
Conclusion: The statistical analysis of one-way analysis of variance shows a significant difference (p<0.05) between the venoms and positive control group (p<0.001), and there is no significant difference between each venom and its varying concentration (p>0.05). As the least concentration can be useful, interestingly, there is no significant difference in the efficacy of N. nigricollis and B. arietans to T. vaginalis (p>0.05); as such, either of the venom can be used for the treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijjani Sabiu Imam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Zainab Tukur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Adamu Yunusa Ugya
- Key Lab of Groundwater Resources and Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Water Resources and Aquatic Environment of Jilin Province, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Environmental Management, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria
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12
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Youngman NJ, Chowdhury A, Zdenek CN, Coster K, Sundman E, Braun R, Fry BG. Utilising venom activity to infer dietary composition of the Kenyan horned viper (Bitis worthingtoni). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 240:108921. [PMID: 33122136 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bitis are well known for being some of the most commonly encountered and medically important snake species in all of Africa. While the majority of species possess potently anticoagulant venom, only B. worthingtoni is known to possess procoagulant venom. Although known to be the basal species within the genus, B. worthingtoni is an almost completely unstudied species with even basic dietary information lacking. This study investigated various aspects of the unique procoagulant effects of B. worthingtoni venom. Coagulation assays determined the primary procoagulant effect to be driven by Factor X activating snake venom metalloprotease toxins. In addition to acting upon the mammalian blood clotting cascade, B. worthingtoni venom was also shown to clot amphibian plasma. As previous studies have shown differences in clotting factors between amphibian and mammalian plasmas, individual enzymes in snake venoms acting on plasma clotting factors can be taxon-selective. As venoms evolve under purifying selection pressures, this suggests that the procoagulant snake venom metalloprotease toxins present in B. worthingtoni have likely been retained from a recent common ancestor shared with the related amphibian-feeding Proatheris superciliaris, and that both amphibians and mammals represent a substantial proportion of B. worthingtoni current diet. Thus, taxon-specific actions of venoms may have utility in inferring dietary composition for rare or difficult to study species. An important caveat is that to validate this hypothesis field studies investigating the dietary ecology of B. worthingtoni must be conducted, as well as further investigations of its venom composition to reconstruct the molecular evolutionary history of the toxins present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Youngman
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Abhinandan Chowdhury
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christina N Zdenek
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Eric Sundman
- Universeum, Södra Vägen 50, 412 54 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ralph Braun
- Serpentarium Calden, Birkenweg 11, 34379 Calden, Germany
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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13
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Widespread and Differential Neurotoxicity in Venoms from the Bitis Genus of Viperid Snakes. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:697-704. [PMID: 33428181 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00330-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Research into the neurotoxic activity of venoms from species within the snake family Viperidae is relatively neglected compared with snakes in the Elapidae family. Previous studies into venoms from the Bitis genus of vipers have identified the presence of presynaptic phospholipase A2 neurotoxins in B. atropos and B. caudalis, as well as a postsynaptic phospholipase A2 in B. arietans. Yet, no studies have investigated how widespread neurotoxicity is across the Bitis genus or if they exhibit prey selectivity of their neurotoxins. Utilising a biolayer interferometry assay, we were able to assess the binding of crude venom from 14 species of Bitis to the neuromuscular α-1 nAChR orthosteric site across a wide range of vertebrate taxa mimotopes. Postsynaptic binding was seen for venoms from B. arietans, B. armata, B. atropos, B. caudalis, B. cornuta, B. peringueyi and B. rubida. To further explore the types of neurotoxins present, venoms from the representatives B. armata, B. caudalis, B. cornuta and B. rubida were additionally tested in the chick biventer cervicis nerve muscle preparation, which showed presynaptic and postsynaptic activity for B. caudalis and only presynaptic neurotoxicity for B. cornuta and B. rubida, with myotoxicity also evident for some species. These results, combined with the biolayer interferometry results, indicate complex neurotoxicity exerted by Bitis species, which varies dramatically by lineage tested upon. Our data also further support the importance of sampling across geographical localities, as significant intraspecific variation of postsynaptic neurotoxicity was reported across the different localities.
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14
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Ajisebiola BS, Rotimi S, Anwar U, Adeyi AO. Neutralization of Bitis arietans venom-induced pathophysiological disorder, biological activities and genetic alterations by Moringa oleifera leaves. TOXIN REV 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2020.1793780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Solomon Rotimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Ullah Anwar
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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15
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Venomous Landmines: Clinical Implications of Extreme Coagulotoxic Diversification and Differential Neutralization by Antivenom of Venoms within the Viperid Snake Genus Bitis. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11070422. [PMID: 31331004 PMCID: PMC6669450 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11070422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Bitis comprises 17 snake species that inhabit Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are responsible for a significant proportion of snakebites in the region. The venoms of the two independent lineages of giant Bitis (B. arietans and again in the common ancestor of the clade consisting of B. gabonica, B. nasicornis, B. parviocula and B. rhinoceros) induce an array of debilitating effects including anticoagulation, hemorrhagic shock and cytotoxicity, whilst the dwarf species B. atropos is known to have strong neurotoxic effects. However, the venom effects of the other species within the genus have not been explored in detail. A series of coagulation assays were implemented to assess the coagulotoxic venom effects of fourteen species within the genus. This study identified procoagulant venom as the ancestral condition, retained only by the basal dwarf species B. worthingtoni, suggesting anticoagulant venom is a derived trait within the Bitis genus and has been secondarily amplified on at least four occasions. A wide range of anticoagulant mechanisms were identified, such as coagulant and destructive activities upon fibrinogen in both giant and dwarf Bitis and the action of inhibiting the prothrombinase complex, which is present in a clade of dwarf Bitis. Antivenom studies revealed that while the procoagulant effects of B. worthingtoni were poorly neutralized, and thus a cause for concern, the differential mechanisms of anticoagulation in other species were all well neutralized. Thus, this study concludes there is a wide range of coagulotoxic mechanisms which have evolved within the Bitis genus and that clinical management strategies are limited for the procoagulant effects of B. worthingtoni, but that anticoagulant effects of other species are readily treated by the South African polyvalent antivenom. These results therefore have direct, real-work implications for the treatment of envenomed patients.
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Al-Sheikh YA, Ghneim HK, Aljaser FS, Aboul-Soud MAM. Ascorbate ameliorates Echis coloratus venom-induced oxidative stress in human fibroblasts. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:703-713. [PMID: 28672988 PMCID: PMC5488744 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Reports related to the effects of Echis coloratus venom (EcV) on the antioxidant capacity of human tissues is very scarce. The present study was undertaken to investigate the activities and gene expression levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the generation rates of superoxide anions (SOA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxides (LPO) in cultured human fibroblasts incubated with EcV, ascorbate (Asc) and EcV plus Asc at concentrations and incubation periods that maintained cell viability. Results indicated that the activities of all antioxidant enzymes and their corresponding transcripts underwent highly significant decreases and downregulation in EcV-treated cultures (0.5 µg/ml medium for 4 h) compared to venom-free controls (P<0.001). Additionally, there were concurrent equally significant increases in SOA, H2O2 and LPO generation rates in the venom-incubated cultures compared to controls (P<0.001). Results also indicated very significant decreases and parallel equally significant increases in GSH and GSSG levels respectively in the envenomed cultures compared to controls (P<0.001) leading to a drastically lower GSH/GSSG ratio. However, further incubation of the EcV-treated cultures with Asc (400 µM for 12 h) restored the activities and levels of all investigated parameters including the expression levels of the antioxidant genes to control venom-free values. It is concluded that Asc acted to neutralize the increased reactive oxygen species generation, thus ameliorating the EcV-induced oxidative stress and alleviating the downregulation of antioxidant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazeed A Al-Sheikh
- Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem K Ghneim
- Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Feda S Aljaser
- Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mourad A M Aboul-Soud
- Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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The effect of physiological levels of South African puff adder (Bitis arietans) snake venom on blood cells: an in vitro model. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35988. [PMID: 27775063 PMCID: PMC5075924 DOI: 10.1038/srep35988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant burden of illness is caused globally by snakebites particularly by the puff adder, Bitis arietans. Presently there is no reliable and rapid method to confirm envenomation on blood chemistry; although coagulation parameters like prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio and also serum electrolytes are tested. Here, we found that direct in vitro exposure of physiological relevant whole venom levels to human healthy blood (N = 32), caused significant physiological changes to platelet activity using a hematology analyzer, and measuring occlusion time, as well as lyses time, with the global thrombosis test (GTT). Disintegrated platelets were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also confirmed the pathologic effects on erythrocytes (RBCs) (visible as eryptotic RBCs), by looking at both light microscopy and SEM. Thromboelastography showed that no clot formation in whole blood could be induced after addition of whole venom. We propose further clinical studies to investigate the use of light microscopy smears and hematology analyzer results immediately after envenomation, as a possible first-stage of clinical confirmation of envenomation.
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