No abstract

Background: Snake venoms contain mixtures of proteins that have different pathological and pharmaceutical effects. In the present study, we evaluated, in vitro the anti-bacterial activity of Cerastes cerastes (C. cerastes) crude venom. Results revealed it has broad antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium and S. aureus, and resistant to E. coli. In vivo, we analyzed the biochemical and histological effects of the sublethal dose of the venom. 45 Swiss albino mice were divided into 3 groups (15 mice/ group): control group; 1/10 LD50 group and 1/2 LD 50 group. Mice were dissected 48 hours after the injection and blood were collected. CBC, ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, total CPK, and LDH were measured. Histopathological changes induced by the venom in skin, liver, heart and kidney tissues were examined. A significant increase in RBCs in 1/10 LD50 group, while a significant decrease of which in 1/2 LD 50 group was observed. Thrombocytopenia, Leukocytosis and highly significant increase in monocytes were observed in both treated groups during the study. A significant increase was observed for lymphocytes and neutrophils in 1/2 LD 50 group. Serum levels of AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, total CPK and LDH were highly increased in both envenomed groups. The histopathological changes in liver, heart, skin and kidney tissues indicated that venom has hemotoxic effect in mice.