Assessment of the Antimicrobial Activity of Few Saudi Arabian Snake Venoms

Abstract

BackgroundVenoms of two cobras, four vipers, a standard antibiotic and an antimycotic, were evaluated comparatively, as antimicrobials.Methods:Six venom concentrations and three of the standard antibiotic and the antimycotic were run in micro-dilution and diffusion plates against the microorganisms.RESULTS: Echis pyramidum, Echis coloratus and Cerastes cerastes gasperettii highest venom concentrations gave significant growth inhibition zones (GIZ) with respect to a negative control, except Bitis arietans, whose concentrations were significant. The cobra Walterinnesia aegyptia had significant venom concentrations more than Naja haje arabica. The Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin Resistant (MRSA) bacterium was the most susceptible, with a highly (P < 0.001) significant GIZ mean difference followed by the Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus, (P < 0.001), Escherichia coli (P < 0.001), Enterococcus faecalis (P < 0.001) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which, had the least significance (P < 0.05). The fungus Candida albicans was resistant to both viper and cobra venoms (P > 0.05). The antibiotic Vancomycin was more effective than snake venoms though, they were more efficient in inhibiting growth of the resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This antibiotic was also inactive against the fungus, whilst its specific antifungal Fungizone was highly efficient with no antibacterial activity.Conclusions:These findings showed that snake venoms had antibacterial activity comparable to antibiotics, with a directly proportional relationship of venom concentration and GIZ, though, they were more efficient in combatting resistant types of bacteria. Both venoms and the standard antibiotic, showed no antifungal benefits.

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Naja pallida and Naja mossambica Venoms against Three Candida Species

“…Except for 10 µg/mL NMV-induced G1 cell cycle arrest of C. glabrata , the effects were relatively slight ( Figure 2 b). As mentioned above, data on crude cobra venom-related effects on fungal cell growth and cell cycle progression are limited [ 24 ]. More recently, cardiotoxin 1 (CTX-1), a component of the venom of the Chinese cobra Naja atra , has been shown to be active against several unicellular fungal species, namely C. albicans , C. glabrata and Malassezia pachydermatis (minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) ranging from 6.3 to 50 μg/mL) [ 25 ].…”

“…However, antifungal properties of snake venoms are much less studied and the research is focused mainly on the biological activities of venoms of viperid species (Viperidae family) [20][21][22][23]. In contrast, the antifungal activity of the venoms of elapid species (Elapidae family) is less evident [24,25]. For example, it has been reported that the venoms of two cobras, namely Walterinnesia aegyptia and Naja haje arabica, have no antimycotic activity against the human fungal pathogen C. albicans based on zone of growth inhibition assay [24].…”

“…In contrast, the antifungal activity of the venoms of elapid species (Elapidae family) is less evident [24,25]. For example, it has been reported that the venoms of two cobras, namely Walterinnesia aegyptia and Naja haje arabica, have no antimycotic activity against the human fungal pathogen C. albicans based on zone of growth inhibition assay [24]. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the biological activities of NPV and NMV against three Candida species, namely C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis more comprehensively.…”

Infectious Complications Following Snakebite by Bothrops lanceolatus in Martinique: A Case Series

“…Bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was attributed to various components, including L-amino acid oxidases and phospholipase A2 enzymes. [22][23][24][25][26][27] However, these bactericidal effects are likely to decrease once the venom has been injected. Soft tissue infection occurs in patients suffering severe envenomings (grade 3 or 4) in which the injected venom amount is likely to be high.…”

In vitro trichomonocidal potency of Naja nigricollis and Bitis arietans snake venom

“…The non-toxins in snake venom have some pharmacological properties, including anticancer properties, antimicrobial properties, and analgesic properties [13,14]. Although it is a fact that the nontoxic protein in snake venom possesses antimicrobial potentials, no or scanty literature exists showing the efficacy of this venom as an alternative to metronidazole in the eradication of T. vaginalis [15].…”