Snake Venom Components: Tools and Cures to Target Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered as a major cause of death worldwide. Therefore, identifying and developing therapeutic strategies to treat and reduce the prevalence of CVDs is a major medical challenge. Several drugs used for the treatment of CVDs, such as captopril, emerged from natural products, namely snake venoms. These venoms are complex mixtures of bioactive molecules, which, among other physiological networks, target the cardiovascular system, leading to them being considered in the development and design of new drugs. In this review, we describe some snake venom molecules targeting the cardiovascular system such as phospholipase A2 (PLA2), natriuretic peptides (NPs), bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), disintegrins, fibrinolytic enzymes, and three-finger toxins (3FTXs). In addition, their molecular targets, and mechanisms of action—vasorelaxation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, cardioprotective activities—are discussed. The dissection of their biological effects at the molecular scale give insights for the development of future snake venom-derived drugs.

Splenic rupture and subsequent splenectomy in a young healthy victim following Russell's viper bite

“…Most of the major components of Russell's viper venom affect blood coagulation by targeting various clotting factors and circulating platelets. The metalloproteases will affect the blood capillaries by digesting collagen and PLA2 aggravates vascular complications (Frangieh et al, 2021;Gutiérrez et al, 2016). Therefore, the haemorrhage in spleen would have occurred as a collective action of multiple venom components.…”

“…Since the spleen is acting as a natural blood filter and has inherent vascular nature, the haemorrhagic venom components might have caused excessive damage in spleen. Additionally, the non-enzymatic venom components might have enhanced the vascular permeability in the splenic capsule for venom components (Frangieh et al, 2021). The delayed result of 20-WBCT20 indicates abnormal blood clotting (Wedasingha et al, 2020).…”

Phospholipases and Reactive Oxygen Species Derived Lipid Biomarkers in Healthy and Diseased Humans and Animals – A Focus on Lysophosphatidylcholine

“…As LPC concentration is elevated in many pathologies, different attempts were undertaken to decrease the LPC concentration in vivo . Because of the obvious contribution of PLA 2 , this has raised interest for pharmacologically-active substances capable of inhibiting PLA 2 activity ( Yalagala et al, 2019 ; Frangieh et al, 2021 ). However, PLA 2 activation does not only result in LPC generation but also in arachidonate-derived free radical intermediates ( Sun et al, 2014 ) and further ROS.…”

Separation and Analytical Techniques Used in Snake Venomics: A Review Article

“…Reptilase isolated from different venoms of Bothrops species is approved for use during surgery for the prophylaxis and treatment of hemorrhage [6]. Accordingly, the exploration of SV components is of high significance to the medical field [7].…”