Abstract
Snakebites are a frequently neglected public health issue in tropical and subtropical countries. According to the World Health Organization, 5 million people are bitten annually including up to 2.5 million envenomations. Treatment with antivenom serum remains the only specific therapy for snakebite envenomation. However, it is heterologous and therefore liable to cause adverse reactions, such as early anaphylactic, pyrogenic and delayed reactions. In order to develop alternatives to the current therapy, researchers have been looking for natural products and plant extracts with antimyotoxic, anti-hemorrhagic and anti-inflammatory properties. Especially due to the role the physiopathological processes triggered by snake toxins, play in paralysis, bleeding disorders, kidney failure and tissue damage. Considering the fact that studies involving snake toxins and specific inhibitors, particularly on a molecular level, are the main key to understand neutralization mechanisms and to propose models or prototypes for an alternative therapy, this article presents efforts made by the scientific community in order to produce validated data regarding 87 compounds and plant extracts obtained from 79 species. These plants, which belong to 63 genera and 40 families, have been used by traditional medicine as alternatives or complements to the current serum therapy.
Keywords: Serum therapy, serum, ophidian venom, anti-snake venom, snakebite, anti-snake venom compounds.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Biodiversity as a Source of Bioactive Compounds Against Snakebites
Volume: 21 Issue: 25
Author(s): Cesar L. S. Guimaraes, Leandro S. Moreira-Dill, Renata S. Fernandes, Tassia R. Costa, Lorane I. S. Hage-Melim, Silvana Marcussi, Bruna M. A. Carvalho, Saulo L. da Silva, Juliana P. Zuliani, Carla F. C. Fernandes, Leonardo A. Calderon, Andreimar M. Soares and Rodrigo G. Stabeli
Affiliation:
Keywords: Serum therapy, serum, ophidian venom, anti-snake venom, snakebite, anti-snake venom compounds.
Abstract: Snakebites are a frequently neglected public health issue in tropical and subtropical countries. According to the World Health Organization, 5 million people are bitten annually including up to 2.5 million envenomations. Treatment with antivenom serum remains the only specific therapy for snakebite envenomation. However, it is heterologous and therefore liable to cause adverse reactions, such as early anaphylactic, pyrogenic and delayed reactions. In order to develop alternatives to the current therapy, researchers have been looking for natural products and plant extracts with antimyotoxic, anti-hemorrhagic and anti-inflammatory properties. Especially due to the role the physiopathological processes triggered by snake toxins, play in paralysis, bleeding disorders, kidney failure and tissue damage. Considering the fact that studies involving snake toxins and specific inhibitors, particularly on a molecular level, are the main key to understand neutralization mechanisms and to propose models or prototypes for an alternative therapy, this article presents efforts made by the scientific community in order to produce validated data regarding 87 compounds and plant extracts obtained from 79 species. These plants, which belong to 63 genera and 40 families, have been used by traditional medicine as alternatives or complements to the current serum therapy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Guimaraes L. S. Cesar, Moreira-Dill S. Leandro, Fernandes S. Renata, Costa R. Tassia, Hage-Melim I. S. Lorane, Marcussi Silvana, Carvalho M. A. Bruna, Silva L. da Saulo, Zuliani P. Juliana, Fernandes F. C. Carla, Calderon A. Leonardo, Soares M. Andreimar and Stabeli G. Rodrigo, Biodiversity as a Source of Bioactive Compounds Against Snakebites, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2014; 21 (25) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/09298673113206660295
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/09298673113206660295 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Emerging Opportunities and Concerns for Drug Discovery at Serotonin 5-5-HT2B Receptors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Hypovitaminosis D is Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Current Vascular Pharmacology Microdialysis in Neurointensive Care
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bioactivity Guided Isolation of Quercetin as Anxiolytic Compound from Elaeocarpus ganitrus Beads
The Natural Products Journal Discovery of Novel Scaffolds for Rho Kinase 2 Inhibitor Through TRFRET- Based High Throughput Screening Assay
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening The Function of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Normal and Parkinsonian Brain
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Risk
Current Cardiology Reviews Targeting Tumorangiogenesis in Lung Cancer by Suppression of VEGF and its Receptor - Results from Clinical Trials and Novel Experimental Approaches
Current Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Treatment of Hypoxic-Ischemic Reperfusion Injury of the Newborn Brain in the Clinical Setting: What are the Possibilities in the Near Future?
Current Pediatric Reviews The Clinical Pathway for Hypertensive Patient of Local Health Unit, Hospitals and General Practitioners, the Milan Experience
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Pathophysiology and Pharmacologic Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism
Current Drug Targets Genetic Basis, Nutritional Challenges and Adaptive Responses in the Prenatal Origin of Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes
Current Diabetes Reviews Obesity and Arterial Compliance Alterations
Current Vascular Pharmacology Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases in India: Public Health Challenges
Current Diabetes Reviews Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Receptor 1 Antagonists: A New Perspective for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Obesity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Neurotoxins: Free Radical Mechanisms and Melatonin Protection
Current Neuropharmacology COX-2: Friend or Foe?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Status Epilepticus: An Overview
Current Drug Metabolism The Role of Melatonin in the Immuno-Neuro-Psychology of Mental Disorders
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) A Review of Hypertension Management in Atrial Fibrillation
Current Hypertension Reviews