Effect Of Cobra Venom Research Articles

Direct nephrotoxic effects produced by venoms of Sri Lankan cobra, Russell's viper and hump nosed viper

Nephrotoxicity is the principal cause of death following Russell's viper envenomation. Envenomation following the bite of several other snakes is also known to cause nephrotoxicity. The nephrotoxicity can be due to direct effects of venom or secondary to circulatory disturbances (eg. ischaemia), which these patients often manifest. As separating out the contributions of direct toxic effects and ischaemic effects are difficult in the in vivo situation, experiments were carried out using the kidney slice model to study and compare the direct toxic effects of venom of cobra, Russell's viper and hump nosed viper. The effect of cobra venom (CV) on rat kidney slices and the effects of Russell's viper venom (RV V) and hump nosed viper venom (HNVV) on rabbit kidney slices were examined. Healthy male animals were anaesthetized and kidneys were harvested. Kidneys were decapsulated, bisected and sliced. Rat kidney slices were incubated with CV and rabbit kidney slices were incubated with RVV and HNVV for different time periods. Rat and rabbit kidney slices were incubated with 0.9% sodium chloride as the control. At the end of each observation period kidney slices were preserved for light and electron microscopy (LM and EM). When CV was used, complete necrosis was seen in proximal and distal convoluted tubular cells (PCT and DCT). When rabbit kidney slices were incubated with RVV for 4 hours there was complete necrosis of glomeruli and PCT with the preservation of the basement membrane. LM and EM changes were mostly confined to PCT when HNVV was used. The results of this experiment provide evidence that the venoms studied produce direct damage on renal tissue. Different areas of the nephron are differentially susceptible to the effects of the three venoms.

Effect of Cobra Venom on Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth

Snake venom contains biologically active constituents such as toxins and hydrolytic enzymes (Anima, 1968 ; Zeller, 1977). These are responsible for its lethal effect on animals. However, the same components if used in optimal quantities may lead to stimulation of some growth processes in plants. For example, heterocyst division in Anabaena doliolum is reported to be induced by application of cobra venom (Gupta and Dashora, 1973). In the present investigations, we have studied its effect on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in three dicots, ( Campsis grandiflora , Argentone mexicana and Crotalaria juncea ) and one monocot ( Crinum asiaticum). The optimal basal culture media for pollen of Crotalaria juncea , Campsis grandiflora , Argemone mexicana and Crinum asiaticum are 3 per cent sucrose +20 p. p.m. boric acid; 8-5 per cent sucrose + 50 p.p.m. boric acid; 6 percent sucrose + 10 p.p.m. boric acid and 10 per cent sucrose + 50 p.p.m. boric acid respectively. Various dilutions of the venom in water ranging from 1 to 20 p.p.m. were prepared in the respective basal media and its effect on pollen germination and pollen tube growth were studied at 26 + 2 °C. Three replicates were carried out for each experiment. Naja naja (cobra) venom was obtained from Biochemical Unit of Patel Chest Institute, New Delhi. The effect of various concentrations of cobra venom on pollen germination and pollen tube growth are shown in Table 1 and Plate 1. All the four species gave maximum response with 5 p.p.m. In Crinum asiaticum , Campsis grandiflora and Argenome mexicana both percentage germination and pollen tube growth were maximally stimulated by this concentration and higher concentrations had a smaller effect. However, in Crotalaria juncea the effect on pollen tube growth was lower than in the other species and there was no effect on germination. The increase in pollen germination caused by cobra venom may be due to the action of phospholipases which possibly loosen the pollen tube wall leading to enhanced tube growth. Alternatively, venom ATPase may act on pollen ATP as was suggested in the case of Anabaena doliolum heterocyst division. (Gupta and Dashora, 1975). Dormant pollen grains are known to contain large amounts of ATP (Nygaard, 1972, 1973) and its enhanced utilization may cause an increase in germination and tube growth. However, further studies are needed to distinguish between these hypotheses.

Effect of cobra venom (Naja haje) on insulin release by rat pancreas in vitro.

Additions of cobra venom at 10, 20 and 30 μg per ml to incubation media of rat pancreas caused no significant effect on insulin release. Additions of the venom at a concentration of 60 μg per ml caused a significant inhibition of glucose induced insulin secretion at low (60 mg per 100 ml) and high (300 mg per 100 ml) glucose concentrations. The possibilities of local release of adrenergic transmitter, impaired glucose metabolism by the beta cells and diminished intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in the beta cells, by venom are discussed.

Effect of cobra venom (Naja haje) on insulin release by rat pancreas in vitro

Effect of cobra venom (Naja haje) on insulin release by rat pancreas in vitro

Anti-asthmatic effects of immunization with cobra venom

Summary Thirty patients with perennial asthma who had previously benefited from passively conferred immunity by anti-snake venom serum were actively immunized with cobra venom. Results obtained with anti-snake venom serum were reproduced with cobra venom. Improvement with cobra venom was first noticed in all patients after two to five months' therapy. Eighteen patients were completely relieved in four to nine months. The remaining 12 patients were partially relieved, to the same extent as with anti-snake venom serum, in two to seven months. During 18 to 38 months of subsequent treatment, four out of these partially relieved 12 patients showed further improvement. Treatment with cobra venom was free from unwanted effects. The role of phosphatidase A in releasing histamine is discussed. The beneficial effect of cobra venom is ascribed to its phosphatidase A and hyaluronidase contents, which are antigenic and result in increased anti-phosphatidase A, anti-invasin 1, and anti-histamine activity in the asthmatic patient. The treatment is worth further investigation as an alternative or as an addition to bronchodilators or cortisone when a reduction in dosage is desired.

The effect of cobra venom (Naja naja) on the incorporation of H 3-thymidine into brain of normal and dystrophic animals

The effect of cobra venom (Naja naja) on the incorporation of H 3-thymidine into brain of normal and dystrophic animals

Cardiovascular effects of cobra venom.

COBRA VENOM produces profound cardiovascular changes, and envenomed animals maintained by artificial respiration die of circulatory collapse. Evidence to date suggests that both heart and peripheral vessels are affected. In experiments reported herein, cardiac and peripheral vascular changes produced by venom of Naja naja were studied. The profound fall in blood pressure observed in intact animals after intravenous administration of venom was found to occur from loss of peripheral resistance and independently of the heart. In addition, venom rapidly and progressively impairs cardiac work capability. <h3>Material and Methods</h3><h3>Effect of Cobra Venom (Naja naja) on Cardiac Function.—</h3> Eight mongrel dogs weighing from 12 to 14 kg were anesthetized with pentobarbital (20 mg per kg) and no other drugs were utilized. Ventilation was maintained by a mechanical respirator, and animals were prepared as shown in Figure 1. Pressure in the resistor was maintained at a constant 110 mm Hg throughout the

Effect of cobra venom on leucocytes.

Intermittent injections of sublethal doses of the venom of Naja haje of Egypt caused temporary leucopenia followed by leucocytosis in guinea-pigs and rabbits. There was always a rise in the percentage of neutrophil leucocytes and a corresponding drop in the percentage of lymphocytes. The leucocytes of both types of animals exhibited morphological signs of phagocytosis and degeneration.

Cobra Venom in the Treatment of Angina Pectoris

THE usefulness of cobra venom for the control of pain was first suggested in 1929 by Monaelesser.1 In 1936, Bullrich2 reported favorable results in the treatment of angina pectoris. Seven patients — 5 with syphilitic aortitis and 2 with coronary arteriosclerosis — received 1.25 to 5.0 mouse units§ of cobra venom intravenously; the succeeding doses and frequency of administration varied in each case. The physiologic and pharmacodynamic effects of cobra venom have been investigated by Macht,3 , 4 who demonstrated that its effects were those of a sedative acting on the thalamus. He5 reported relief of various types of pain in approximately . . .

Behavior of Rats in a Maze in Relation to Analgesic Effect of Cobra Venom and Morphine

SummaryA comparative study of behavior of rats in the maze and the analgesia produced in them by morphine reveals that the two effects run parallel, i. e., the greater the general depression, the greater the analgesia. In case of cobra venom, however, analgesia or heightening of the pain threshold is produced without any marked effect on general behavior of the animals.