Quantitative characterization of the hemorrhagic, necrotic, coagulation-altering properties and Edema-forming effects of Zebra snake (Naja nigricincta nigricincta) venom
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Date
2018
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Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxicity and haemotoxicity of the Western barred (zebra) spitting cobra (Naja
nigricincta nigricincta) venom to help explain atypical and inconsistent reports on syndromes by Namibian physicians treating
victims of human ophidian accidents. Freeze-dried venom milked from adult zebra snakes was dissolved in phosphate buffered
saline (PBS) for use in this study. Haemorrhagic and necrotic activity of venom were studied in New Zealand albino rabbits.
Oedema-forming activity was investigated in 10-day-old Cobb500 broiler chicks. Procoagulant and thrombolytic activity was
investigated in adult Kalahari red goat blood in vitro.The rabbit skin minimum hemorrhagic dose (MHD) for N. n. nigricincta was
9.8𝜇g. The minimum necrotizing dose (MND) for N. n. nigricincta venom was 12.2𝜇g. The N. n. nigricincta venom showed linear
dose-dependent procoagulant activity on goat blood (p<0.05). Likewise, N. n. nigricincta venom showed linear dose-dependent
thrombolytic activity on goat blood (p<0.05, n = 6). Subplantar injection of N. n. nigricincta venom (25𝜇g, 50𝜇g, 75𝜇g, and 100𝜇g)
into chick paw resulted in peak oedema of 35.5%, 38.5%, 42.9%, and 47.5%, respectively, two hours after injection. Paw oedema
subsided within five hours to a mean volume ranging from 5% (25𝜇g venom) to 17.6% (100𝜇g venom). In conclusion, though
N. n. nigricincta belongs to the genus Elapidae, the current study has shown its venom to possess potent hemorrhagic, necrotic
(cytotoxic), and paradoxically, both procoagulant and thrombolytic activity.The authors propose further work to fractionate, isolate,
and elucidate the structure of the various N. n. nigricincta venom toxins as a prelude to the development of an antivenom.
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Keywords
Hemorrhagic, Necrotic, Zebra snake
Citation
Kandiwa, E., Mushonga, B., Samkange, A., & Fabiano, E. (2018). Quantitative characterization of the hemorrhagic, necrotic, coagulation-altering properties and Edema-forming effects of Zebra snake (Naja nigricincta nigricincta) venom. Hindawi Journal of Toxicology, 1-8.