Isolation and Characterization of a Myotoxic Fraction from Cerastes Vipera Snake Venom

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of crude Cerastes vipera venom and some phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity containing fraction (CV-PL-F4). Furthermore, the current study examined the antimyotoxic action of dexamethasone, vitamins (Vit.) E and C and trypsin against the isolated fraction having the highest PLA2 activity and crude venom. In the present study, a PLA2, designed CV-PL-F4, was isolated from Cerastes vipera snake venom through Sephadex G-75, and a screening for PLA2 activity (via an indirect hemolysis assay) guided the search for a myotoxin. In conclusion, dexamethasone and Vit E are potentially useful in treating the myotoxic effect induced by Cerastes vipera crude venom and their CV-PL-F4 fraction.