Polyoxometalates are important inorganic compounds with a broad range of pharmacological properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal
As more data are generated from proteome and transcriptome analysis revealing that metalloproteinases represent most of the Viperid and Colubrid venom components authors decided to describe in a short review a classification and some of the multiple activities of snake venom metalloproteinases. SVMPs are classified in three major classes (P-I, P-II and P-III classes) based on the presence of various domain structures and according to their domain organization. Furthermore, P-II and P-III classes were separated in subclasses based on distinctive post-translational modifications. SVMPs are synthesized in a latent form, being activated through a Cys-switch mechanism similar to matrix metalloproteinases. Most of the metalloproteinases of the snake venom are responsible for the hemorrhagic events but also have fibrinogenolytic activity, poses apoptotic activity, activate blood coagulation factor II and X, inhibit platelet aggregation, demonstrating that SVMPs have multiple functions in addition to well-known hemorrhagic function.Keywords: snake venom metalloproteinases, hemorrhagic activity, hemostatic distruption, ADAM and ADAMTS, SVMPs IntroductionSnakes have fascinated humankind for millennia, being worshiped in antiquity by almost all the civilizations. In Ancient Egypt a Cobra adorned the pharaoh's crown, in Greece snakes could be found in many medical symbols, while in India snakes even had their own festival (Nag Panchami) [1,2].The destructive effect of snake venom on living organism was well known, but their healing potential has only been considered in the last 2 centuries. Snake venoms are typically a complex cocktail of mostly peptides, proteins, enzymes and other small substances with toxic and lethal properties that facilitate the immobilization and digestion of the prey, as well as providing a defense against predators. The life or death of these prey/predator encounters forced the toxins to be fast-acting and potent molecules. The most common snake venom enzymes include; cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRiSPs), three-finger toxins (3FTXs) especially in Elapidae family, phospholipase A 2 , metalloproteinases, L-amino acid oxidase, serine proteinases, acetylcholinesterase, and phosphodiesterase [3]. HistoryEarly studies by Reichert and Mitchell noticed that fibrinogen in animal blood loses its ability to coagulate after exposure to snake venom. They observed that when animal blood was mixed with Crotalus family venom, the blood clot that was formed was dissolved within 24 hours while sitting at room temperature [4,5]. Probably the first report of SVMPs was by Ohsaka, Okonogi and Maeno when they observed that isolated proteinases toxin from viperid were inactivated by exposure to EDTA, presumably because of the presence of a metal inside the protein, most likely being a metalloproteinase [6][7][8][9].Since the discovery of zinc-dependent proteinase in the viperid venom [10], researchers have tried to isolate, characterize and understand the structure and biological function in order to find their role...
Nitrones: not only extraordinary spin traps, but also good nitric oxide sources in vivoFree radicals are involved in the development of reperfusion injuries. Using a spin trap, the intensity of such lesions can be reduced. Nitrones (effective in vivo spin traps) were tried in this work as in vivo nitric oxide donors. Nitrite and nitrate concentration values (rabbit blood) were used as biomarkers of nitric oxide production. Most nitrones did not increase plasma concentrations of nitrite and nitrate; on the contrary, reduced plasma concentrations of these indicators were noted. However, glyoxal isopropyldinitrone, in a dose of 50 mg kg -1, was highly effective in increasing nitric oxide production. At the same time, nitrones do not react with hepatic homogenates, proving that the release of nitric oxide takes place in the tissues and is not related to hepatic metabolism. Before using nitrones in vivo, they were tested in vitro for the ability to release nitric oxide following a reaction with the hydroxyl radical.
Background: Snake venom is a complex mixture of biologically active substances. Some peptides and proteins from snake have already demonstrated their therapeutically potential. The venom of Naja haje, an Elapidae member, has been analyzed from this point of view. Understanding the fully biochemical role of its enzymes has determined the scientists to find new separation and identification methods. Objective: Our goal was to develop an optimal HPLC analytical method for separation and identification of Naja haje snake venom components, known for its neurotoxic activity. In addition, we wanted to find out if crude snake venom could inhibit the development of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cultures. Materials and Method: Analysis of venom was performed on a HPLC system using a C16 column with UV detection at 210 nm. The analysis was done using two mobile phases, containing different concentrations of acetonitrile and trifluoroacetic acid aqueous solution at different pH values. An elution gradient was set at a flow of 0.60 mL/min. Bactericidal activity was quantified by measuring inhibition diameter around an aseptically disk filled with crude venom using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Results: An optimal HPLC analytical method has been developed by changing different parameters such as the pH value of mobile phase A or the elution gradient. The best resolution were obtained at a pH value of 7.4, in gradient varying from 5% to 45% in mobile phase B. Microbiological studies of the venom showed that Gram-positive bacteria growth was inhibited by crude venom, while on Gram-negative bacteria growth no effect was observed. Inhibition zone is dose-dependent and fresh crude venom is with 30% more potent than venom freeze and kept at -55°C. Conclusions: A comprehensive catalog of venom composition may serve as a starting point for studying structurefunction correlations of individual toxins for the development of new research tools and drugs of potential clinical use.
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