Preliminary studies with a neurotoxin obtained from Bungarus caeruleus venom

Abstract

The neurotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus caeruleus causes a neuromuscular blockade on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation. Neuromuscular blockade produced by d-tubocurarine on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in an isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation was reversed to normal muscle twitch response in presence of neostigmine. Whereas the purified neurotoxin produced an irreversible neuromuscular blockade in presence of the same strength of neostigmine. As it is already known, botulinum toxin, which also brings about neuromuscular blockade, is effectively used as a drug in the treatment of painful movement disorders. Since the purified toxin also causes paralysis of the muscle, we propose its possible efficacy in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders

Determination of Lethal Dose (LD50) of Venom of four Different Poisonous Snakes found in Pakistan

“…In Pakistan, no specific work is done on local species of Bungarus caeruleus for the determination of LD 50 . In our study the LD 50 value of its venom in mice model is 0.2828 μg/g which is contradictory to previous reports demonstrated Engelmann and Obst et al their obtained LD 50 value is 0.169 μg/g through I.V mode of injection [18] Other findings obtained by Mirajkar and More et al demonstrated that when crude venom administered intravenously cause lethality in mice with usual neurotoxic symptoms and resultant LD 50 value was 160 μg/kg or 0.16 μg/g [19]. According to geographical conditions and other factors, venom composition varies widely as demonstrated in values.…”

Enzymatic and immunological properties of Bungarus flaviceps (red-headed krait) venom

“…Its venom also contains a novel postsynaptic neurotoxin, termed κ-flavitoxin, which is a potent inhibitor of nicotinic transmission in autonomic ganglia (4,5). The venoms of several common Bungarus species have been well investigated (6)(7)(8). Little, however, is known about the enzymatic properties of the Bungarus flaviceps venom.…”

Lethal dose (LD50) of the big four snakes-a mini review

“…Forkrait (Bungaruscaeruleus) LD 50 calculated by Perveen et al 5 is 0.2828 μg/g for intravenous route. Engelmann and Obst et al 9 obtained LD 50 value is 0.169μg/g and Mirajkar & More et al 10 reported LD 50 of 0.16 μg/g. Australian Venom and Toxin database depicts the LD 50 value 0.169μg/g for Krait.…”