Abstract
The enzyme inhibition by natural and/ or low-cost compounds may represent a valuable adjunct to traditional serotherapy performed in cases of snakebite, mainly with a view to mitigate the local effects of envenoming. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible interactions between vitamins and enzymes that comprise Bothrops atrox and Crotalus durissus terrificus venoms, in vitro. Proteolysis inhibition assays (substrates: azocasein, collagen, gelatin and fibrinogen), hemolysis, coagulation, hemagglutination were carried out using different proportions of vitamins in face of to inhibit minimum effective dose of each venom. The vitamins were responsible for reducing 100% of breaking azocasein by C.d.t. venom, thrombolysis induced by B. atrox and fibrinogenolysis induced by both venoms. It is suggested the presence of interactions between vitamin and the active site of enzymes, for example the interactions between hydrophobic regions present in the enzymes and vitamin E, as well as the inhibitions exercised by antioxidant mechanism.
Highlights
The Bothrops atrox species can be found frequently in the Amazon region and is responsible for about 80% of snake bites in the region
The greatest inhibitions, obtained to the proteolytic activity induced by B. atrox venom, were observed in a proportion of 1: 10 with reduced activity 63% and 83%, after incubation with ascorbic acid and vitamin complex, respectively (Fig. 1a)
Ascorbic acid and vitamin complex inhibited the azocaseinolytic activity with greater efficiency at the proportion 1: 10, where the C.d.t. venom had its activity reduced to 5% in preincubation with ascorbic acid and vitamin complex (Fig. 1b)
Summary
The Bothrops atrox species can be found frequently in the Amazon region and is responsible for about 80% of snake bites in the region. Studies indicate that the envenoming by B. atrox venom is characterized by a strong inflammatory response triggering rupture of blood vessels, production of cytokines, leukocyte migration and cell death. Accidents with snakes of the genus Crotalus (Viperidae family) are less frequent, but because of the severity of the systemic response, they present high lethal potential, and the envenoming by these snakes is characterized by neurotoxic, coagulant and myotoxic action (Sgrignolli et al 2011). Crotalus durissus is a species that inhabits areas of the Central Brazilian Cerrado and arid and semi-arid regions of Northeast and fields and open areas in the south. César and Silvana Marcussi durissus terrificus is prevalent in the southeastern and southern regions (Melgarejo 2003)
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