Snakes Venoms

By
Mark lalduhawma
Roll no – 13
Registration no - 11705801
CONTENTS:

1. Introduction

2. History

3. Chemistry

4. Types of venom

5. Anti -venom

6. Uses of anti -venom

7. Conclusion

8. References.
INTRODUCTION

1.The term ’venom’, is derived from Latin word venenum, meaning

poison.

2. Venom system are important adaptations that have evolved in

different animals for certain reasons. Of all venomous animals, snakes
are the most well known because of their medical importance.

3. There are over 3000 species of snakes, but only 15% are considered
to be dangerous.

4. Snakes are found in every continent except Arctic and Antarctica.

SNAKE VENOMS

Snake venoms are a cocktail of simple to

complex secretion of bioactive proteins
produced in a specialized gland that is
typically delivered via specialized
envenomation systems.
 HISTORY

Charles Lucien Bonaparte

was the first to establish
the proteinaceous nature
of snake venom in 1843.
CHEMISTRY OF A SNAKE VENOM

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

1. Acidic.
2. Specific gravity: 1.030 – 1.070.
3. Soluble in water.

COMPOSITION

Snake venom is composed of proteins and

enzymes like fasciculins, dendrotoxins,
αneurotoxins, phospholipases,
cardiotoxins, etc.
TYPES OF VENOM

1. Neurotoxic

2. Cytotoxic

3. Hemotoxic

4. Myotoxic.
Neurotoxic
1.This type of venom attacks nervous system.

2. This mainly includes fasciculins, dendrotoxins, alpha neurotoxins.

3. Fasciculins are toxins that attack cholinergic neurons by destroying acetylcholinesterase (AChE) so
ACh cannot be broken down and stays in the receptor.

4. Dendrotoxins are found in the venom of Black Mamba snake, which interferes with voltage-gated K +
channels. Tubocurarine, cobrotoxin, bungarotoxin block the acetylcholine receptor or prevent the opening
of ion channel. By blocking signals from nerves to muscles these toxins cause paralysis and possibly
death. Example- Venom of Cobras, Kraits etc.

5.It takes about 10 minutes for the venom to affect the nervous system.

6.Most neurotoxins are too large to cross the bloodbrain barrier, and so they usually exert their effects on
peripheral nervous system rather than directly on brain and spinal cord.
Cytotoxic

1.Cytotoxins involve phospholipases, cardiotoxins.

2. Phospholipases helps to split cell membrane and helps to digest and subdue prey.

3. Causes localized symptoms, like blue black spots on the site of bite due to limited blood
circulation.

4. Example – Venom of Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)

Hemotoxic
1. These venoms causes hemolysis or induce blood coagulation.

2. It attacks cardiovascular system, circulatory system and muscle tissues thus directly leading to heart
failure. Symptoms are:

1. Lethargy
2. Headache
3. Nausea
4. Vomiting

Example- Venom of Crotalus (Rattle Snake).

Myotoxic
1.The venom contains peptides that destroy the muscle fibre proteins and results in myonecrosis.
Example- the venom of Brazilian Lancehead snake.

2. Symptoms include
(a) dry throat
(b) thirst
(c) muscular spasm
(d) drooping eyelids
(e) blackish brown urine discharge.
ANTI-VENOM

1. Anti-venom ( anti- opposite of; venom L. venenin

– poison).

2. The only available treatment against snake bite is

the usage of anti-venom.

3. The first anti-venom for snakes was developed

by Alberte Calmette against the Indian cobra (Naja
naja).
USES OF ANTI-VENOM
1. Medicines derived from neurotoxins are used to treat brain injuries, strokes.

2. Hemotoxin are used to treat heart attacks and blood disorders.

3. ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES: Snake venom also lowers down the activity of cancer cell
by apoptogenic effect.

4. Anticoagulant properties: Snake venom enzymes remove fibrinogen from the

circulation without converting it to fibrin. Venoms with anticoagulant properties are
extensively studied for possible medical applications.
 CONCLUSION

Snake Venom is the stuff of nightmares

for some, the light at the end of the
tunnel for others. It is a killer as well as
a saviour.
REFERENCES
Goswami PK, Samant M and Srivastava RS (2014) Snake venom, anti-snake venom and potential of snake
venom. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences;6(5):4-7

Mackessy SP(2010) Handbook of venoms and toxins of reptiles. CRC Press Taylor & Francis
Group,London. pp 6-19

Nelson DL, Cox MM(2013) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. Sixth Edition. W.H. Freeman and
Company, New York, pp 424-426