Snake & scorpion venoms/

antagonists
 Introduction
• Venom is a biological toxin intended for
offensive use to protect an animal or to kill its
prey and aid it digest the prey
• Anti-venom (antiserum, antivenin) is an
antidote to biological poisons from venomous
animals
 Snake venom
• Poisonous snakes:
1. Elapidae (cobras, cloral snakes, mombas)
2. Crotalidae (rattle snakes)
3. Hydrophidae (true sea snakes)
4. Viperidae (russel vipers, puff adder)
5. Lacticaudidae (sea kraits)
6. Colubridae (Boomslang, bird snake)
 Snake venom
 Has cytotoxic, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic and coagulopathy effects.
 Enzymes determine toxicity of the venom
1. Phosphodiesterases: interfere with the prey's cardiac system, mainly to
lower the blood pressure .
2. Phospholipase A2: causes hemolysis through esterolysis of red cell
membranes and promotes muscle necrosis. Snake venom inhibits
cholinesterase to make the prey lose muscle control.
3. Hyaluronidase: increases tissue permeability to increase the rate that other
enzymes are absorbed into the prey's tissues.
4. Amino acid oxidases and proteases: are used for digestion of tissue
proteins. Amino acid oxidase also triggers some other enzymes.
5. ATPases which are used for breaking down ATP to disrupt the prey's
energy use.
6. Collagenase: digest collagen
Snake venom
 Snake antivenom
• Man-made biological products (monovalent or
polyvalent)
• Preparations involves milking usually with the
snake striking cloth placed over covered glass
jar→ snake venom→ injected in small amount
to horses → antibodies production
• The antivenom is then harvested from the
blood of the animal, purified and stored
 Snake antivenom
• MOA: Bind and neutralize snake venom
toxins→redistribution away target tissues &
elimination from the body

• Adverse effects: pruritus, rashes, arthralgia,

nausea, vomiting, erythema, myalgia
• Contraindications: None
 Scorpion venom
• Consists of histamine, serotonin, tryptophan,
anticholinesterase, phospholipases,
hyaluronidases, phosphodiesterase and cytokine
releasers.
• More toxic & multiplicity of antigens than snake
venom but human have unique variable
susceptibility to scorpion venom
Scorpion venom
 Scorpion antivenom
• MOA: Bind and neutralize scorpion venom
toxins→ redistribution away target tissues &
elimination from the body
• Adverse effects: pruritus, rashes, NVD, cough,
pyrexia, myalgia
• Contraindications: None