Vipera Lebetina Research Articles

First Records of Oligacanthorhynchus (Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the Honey Badger, Mellivora capensis wilsoni (Mustelidae) and the West-Asian Blunt-Nosed Viper Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Viperiidae) from North Basrah, Iraq

Ten honey badgers (Mellivora capensis wilsoni) and 10 West-Asian blunt-nosed vipers (Macrovipera lebetina obtusa) were collected from the Almadeena district North Basrah governorate, southern Iraq, and examined for helminths. Cystacanths and 2 adult specimens of an acanthocephalan Oligacanthorhynchus sp. were found, and these represent new host records and a new record for Iraq. The specimens could be distinguished from all other species of Oligacanthorhynchus in having a proboscis armature of 36 hooks arranged in 12 rows of 3 hooks without large manubria, the largest hooks (circle 1) up to 120 µ m long. There was, however, insufficient material to adequately describe the putative new species. Honey badgers are opportunistic carnivores that include snakes in their diet, supporting the contention that the vipers are paratenic hosts and honey badgers are the definitive hosts for this oligacanthorhynchid.

Purification and characterization of a thrombin-like enzyme isolated from Vipera lebetina venom: its interaction with platelet receptor.

: Snake venoms contain various molecules that can be used as tools in the diagnosis and in the treatment of hemostatic disorders. This study reports the isolation and functional characterization of a new thrombin-like enzyme and its role in the modulation of platelet aggregation and coagulation. The molecule was purified by gel filtration, anion exchange chromatography and reverse-phase-HPLC on C8 column; its molecular weight was determined. Natural and synthetic substrates were used to evaluate its enzymatic activities. The fibrinogenolytic activity was tested electrophoretically and by reverse-phase-HPLC on C18 column. Otherwise, the effect on blood coagulation and deficient plasma factors were also evaluated. The mechanism by which a thrombin-like enzyme VLCV (thrombin-like enzyme)-induced platelet aggregation was explored in presence of ticlopidin, clopidogrel and aspirin. VLCV (45 kDa) isolated from Vipera lebetina as a thrombin-like enzyme seems to be able to modulate platelet function. This enzyme showed an amidolytic activity by hydrolyzing the chromogenic-specific substrate of thrombin and the α-chain of fibrinogen. It is also able to clot human plasma and the deficient human plasma in factor X, suggesting that it is involved in the intrinsic and common pathways. The aggregating effect of VLCV is more sensitive to ticlopidine than to the clopidogrel suggesting the involvement of ADP/P2Y12/PI3K pathway. VLCV seems to be able to promote human platelet aggregation suggesting an interaction between P2Y12 and PAR1. Due to its ability to replace the missing factor X and its proaggregating activity, VLCV could be used as molecular tool to better understand the hemostasis mechanism.

Cytotoxic Activities of the Crude Venoms of Macrovipera lebetina lebetina from Cyprus and M. l. obtusa from Turkey (Serpentes: Viperidae) on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

In this study, we used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as an in vitro model to compare the cytotoxic activities of the venoms of two Macrovipera lebetina subspecies, M. l. obtusa from southern Anatolia and M. l. lebetina from northern Cyprus. Well-established 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was preferred to assess the cytotoxicity. Our results showed that venom reduced cell viability both in a time and dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of M. l. lebetina venom on HUVEC is reported for the first time in the present study.

<p><strong>Capitalised epithets in the works of Linnaeus (1758‒1767): findings and consequences in herpetology</strong></p>

Starting from a finding concerning a few specific nomina proposed by Linnaeus (1758, 1760) and Linné (1766–1767) in herpetology, we returned to the ‘rules of nomenclature’ followed, more or less explicitly, in taxonomic works of the 18th century, in an attempt to understand the status of capitalised epithets. We conclude that such epithets were viewed by their authors as nouns in apposition, or more rarely as nouns in the genitive. Therefore, nowadays, they must be treated as invariable, and not as adjectives that should agree in grammatical gender with the generic substantives with which they are combined. We provide a catalogue of these herpetological capitalised epithets in Linnaeus (1758, 1760) and Linné (1766–1767) with some nomenclatural consequences that result from our observations, especially for Corallus hortulana, Macrovipera lebetinus and Thamnophis saurita. In order to solve some nomenclatural cases, we had to resort to 12 Articles of the Code (1.3.1, 3, 11.9.1.2, 11.9.1.3, 23.2, 23.9, 31.1, 31A, 31.2.2, 32.5.1, 33.3.1, 34.2.1, 58) and to 29 technical nomenclatural terms. One more time, this highlights the fact that nomenclatural problems concerning old nomina cannot be properly dealt with in a hurry and without a good, but also critical, knowledge of the Code, and that the use of a more detailed terminology than that of the Code facilitates such a work.

Interspecies Variations in Clinical Envenoming Effects of Viper Snakes Evolutionized in a Common Habitat: A Comparative Study on Echis carinatus sochureki and Macrovipera lebetina obtusa Victims in Iran

Background: Despite sharing common evolutionary features, Viperidae species including Echis carinatus and Macrovipera lebetina possess venoms with different proportions of toxic agents, thereby causing clinical effects with potentially variable severity. This study was an effort to differentiate the clinical effects and outcomes of c. and l. victims. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, snakebite patients treated at a reference poisoning center in northeast of Iran in 2012 were enrolled. The features of snakebite event, demographic and clinical data of patients were recorded in checklists. Results: Twenty-seven patients (63% male) with mean age of 34.8 ± 18.1 years were included. The offending snakes were recorded as E. c. sochureki in 63%, M. l. obtusa in 25.9% and unknown in 11.1% of cases. The most common clinical findings were fang mark in 100%, local pain in 81.5% and local edema in 74% of patients. Although the victims of both species showed classic features of viper envenoming syndrome including marked local effect and hemostatic disturbances, the victims of l. had significantly higher creatine kinase levels (P = 0.031) and lower platelet counts (P = 0.043), whereas marked edema (> 15cm) was significantly more common in c. victims (P = 0.028). Envenomation severity, other clinical effects and outcomes did not differ between the two species. Patients with delayed presentation to hospital had greater envenomation severity and edema extent and higher rate of coagulopathy. Conclusions: Species-specific description of clinical effects following snakebite envenoming is useful for syndromic approach to human victims. The clinical envenoming syndromes by c. and l. show many common similarities despite the difference in severity of some effects. The delay in hospital admission and antivenom therapy is a risk for increased severity of envenomation and development of poorer clinical outcomes.

Antivenom against Vipera berus is effective against Macrovipera lebetina

Antivenom against Vipera berus is effective against Macrovipera lebetina

Action of Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom in hippocampal neurons in the Alzheimer's disease rat model

Action of Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom in hippocampal neurons in the Alzheimer's disease rat model

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in S-180 sarcoma-bearing mice after treatment with obtustatin and Macrovipera lebetina obtusa snake venom

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in S-180 sarcoma-bearing mice after treatment with obtustatin and Macrovipera lebetina obtusa snake venom

Effects of MLO crude venom, PLA2 and metalloproteinases enzymes on cardiac cells

Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (MLO) snakes presented by several sub-species, which are characterized by a very specific combination of components. Along with common enzymes characteristic of Vipera species, MLO venom contains unique components specific for “obtusa” sub-species, such as disintegrin obtustatin. MLO venom contents metalloproteinases, phospholipase A2, serine proteases, L-alfa amino acid oxidase, few kinds of disintegrins and some other active agents. The cluster of MLO venom components, such as metalloproteinases, obtustatin, C-type lectins and few others are known as cell adhesion inhibition molecules, which are breaking up integrins and cadherins or bind to them. Therefore, the adhesion affecting properties of MLO venom and its action on cell binding in tissue culture is of great interest. We studied effect of venom of MLO living in Armenia on adhesion and metabolic activity of myocardial cells [cardiomyocytes (CM) and cardiac fibroblasts (CF)] and identification of major effector components of MLO venom. Attachment properties of both CM and CF were affected by MLO venom in a dose-dependent manner. Time exposure also has an effect on CMs and CFs attachment to the substrate and to cell-to-cell contact. Longer exposures times result in higher detachment even at the same MLO venom concentrations. Interestingly, both cell types demonstrated increase in metabolic activity upon exposure to non-lethal doses of crude venom. Analysis of individual components of MLO venom resulted improved adhesion of both CM and CF upon inhibition of metalloproteinases by EDTA-Na2 chelating agent or complete block of PLA2 enzyme by bromophenacyl bromide. These results indicate that the aggressive detaching effect of MLO venom is delivered not by an individual component of the venom, but rather is a combinatorial effect of several active ingredients.

Toxicity and microglia activity in murine induced by Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom with inhibited enzymatic activity

Toxicity and microglia activity in murine induced by Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom with inhibited enzymatic activity

The antitumor efficacy of monomeric disintegrin obtustatin in S-180 sarcoma mouse model.

Obtustatin, isolated from the Levantine Viper snake venom (Macrovipera lebetina obtusa -MLO), is the shortest known monomeric disintegrin shown to specifically inhibit the binding of the α1β1 integrin to collagen IV. Its oncostatic effect is due to the inhibition of angiogenesis, likely through α1β1 integrin inhibition in endothelial cells. To explore the therapeutic potential of obtustatin, we studied its effect in S-180 sarcoma-bearing mice model in vivo as well as in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-D) in vitro, and tested anti-angiogenic activity in vivo using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM assay). Our in vivo results show that obtustatin inhibits tumour growth by 33%. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increased after treatment with obtustatin, but the level of expression of caspase 8 did not change. In addition, our results demonstrate that obtustatin inhibits FGF2-induced angiogenesis in the CAM assay. Our in vitro results show that obtustatin does not exhibit cytotoxic activity in HMVEC-D cells in comparison to in vivo results. Thus, our findings disclose that obtustatin might be a potential candidate for the treatment of sarcoma in vivo with low toxicity.

Reproductive activity of the South Caucasian viper (Macrovipera lebetina obtusa Dwigubsky, 1832) in the period of egg laying

Reproductive activity of the South Caucasian viper (Macrovipera lebetina obtusa Dwigubsky, 1832) in the period of egg laying

Morphometric characteristics and seasonal proximity to water of the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758)

BackgroundThe blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a medically important snake species in the Middle East. Its nominate subspecies Macrovipera l. lebetina is confined to Cyprus, where it is the only dangerously venomous snake species and heavily pursued. Despite the viper’s large size, data on its body mass and sex-specific morphological differences are scarce. It is commonly believed that M. l. lebetina prefers freshwater proximity during summer. Hence, we aimed at investigating M. l. lebetina sex-specific morphological differences and its possible attraction to freshwater bodies in late summer.MethodsMorphometric characteristics, proximity to water and conservation status of M. l. lebetina were investigated in Paphos district (Cyprus) in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Vipers were caught in different habitats, examined morphologically for metric and meristic characters, and released back into their habitat. Additionally, local people were interviewed about the conservation situation of the species.ResultsOf 38 recorded blunt-nosed vipers, morphological characteristics were collected from 34 (10 adult males, 16 adult females, eight unsexed juveniles). Rounded total length (ToL) ranged from 23.5 cm to 133.0 cm and weight between 10 g and 1456 g. Adult males significantly exceeded adult females in tail length (TaL), ToL and head length (HL). No significant sex-specific differences were found in snout-vent length (SVL), head width (HW), weight or body condition index (BCI), nor for the ratios TaL / SVL, TaL / ToL, HL / SVL or HL / HW. Adult females from late summer (2015) had a significantly lower mean BCI than those from spring (2014).Distances of blunt-nosed vipers to the nearest water bodies (natural and artificial, respectively) did not differ significantly between spring (2014) and late summer (2015). There was also no significant difference between the distances of vipers to natural and to artificial water bodies in spring (and late summer).ConclusionsAdult male blunt-nosed vipers exceed adult females in TaL, ToL and HL. Adult females are likely in a more vulnerable body condition in late summer than in spring. Periodic drying out of freshwater bodies in summer probably does not affect the species’ occurrence. Educational workshops and habitat conservation are recommended for reducing human-viper conflict.

Molecular and morphological analyses have revealed a new species of blunt-nosed viper of the genus Macrovipera in Iran

Molecular and morphological analyses have revealed a new species of blunt-nosed viper of the genus Macrovipera in Iran

Vipers of the Middle East: A Rich Source of Bioactive Molecules.

Snake venom serves as a tool of defense against threat and helps in prey digestion. It consists of a mixture of enzymes, such as phospholipase A2, metalloproteases, and l-amino acid oxidase, and toxins, including neurotoxins and cytotoxins. Beside their toxicity, venom components possess many pharmacological effects and have been used to design drugs and as biomarkers of diseases. Viperidae is one family of venomous snakes that is found nearly worldwide. However, three main vipers exist in the Middle Eastern region: Montivipera bornmuelleri, Macrovipera lebetina, and Vipera (Daboia) palaestinae. The venoms of these vipers have been the subject of many studies and are considered as a promising source of bioactive molecules. In this review, we present an overview of these three vipers, with a special focus on their venom composition as well as their biological activities, and we discuss further frameworks for the exploration of each venom.

Changes in microglia activity of rat brain induced by Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom

Changes in microglia activity of rat brain induced by Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom

Anti-inflammatory properties of Centaurea calolepis Boiss. and cnicin against Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Dwigubsky, 1832) and Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849) venoms in rat

Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Dwigubsky, 1832) and Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849) (Ottoman Viper) are viper snakes from Viperidae family and found in various locations in Anatolia. Both snakes are responsible for major snake bite cases in Turkey Their venoms cause necrosis, hemorrhage, pain and local edema.Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species draw attention as potential anti-inflammatory sources due to their traditional uses and accomplished studies on this field. C. calolepis Boiss. is an endemic taxon distributed in Aegean and Antalya regions in Turkey. Chloroform extract of C. calolepis and its major compound cnicin, a sesquiterpene lactone, are reported to have strong anti-inflammatory activities in-vitro, by previous studies.In the present study, in-vivo anti-inflammatory activities of C. calolepis chloroform extract and the sesquiterpenoid cnicin against edema induced by Macrovipera lebetina obtusa and Montivipera xanthina venoms were evaluated in the rat model. Protein contents and induction doses of the venoms were determined. Carrageenan and snake venoms were used as inducing agents in paw edema tests.Extract demonstrated strong inhibition on edema at all doses and hours against M. xanthina venom and carrageenan. Inhibition ratio of extract at 25 mg/kg dose (84.13% inhibition) after 0.5 h M. xanthina venom injection was more than indomethacin's value (45.4% inhibition). The extract also showed significant effect also on inflammation caused by M. lebetina obtusa venom at all doses. However, 2.5 mg/kg cnicin was more effective than total extract of C. calolepis against rat paw edema induced by (27.31%) M. lebetina obtusa venom.This is the first study reported therapeutic potential of C. calolepis, an endemic plant of Turkey, in case of snake-bites cause inflammation by venomous species in natural fauna of Anatolia.

Targeting α1 inserted domain (I) of α1β1 integrin by Lebetin 2 from M. lebetina transmediterranea venom decreased tumorigenesis and angiogenesis

Through the recent development of knowledge in biotechnology and bioinformatics, snake venoms are widely used to develop new drugs to treat diseases such as hypertension and cancer. We have previously reported that Lebetin 2 isolated from Macrovipera lebetina transmediterranea venom displays a potent anti-platelet activity and exerts a cardioprotective effect in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury model. Here, we report that Lebetin 2 possess an anti-tumor effect by targeting the integrin receptor function. It was thus able to inhibit both adhesion and migration of pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) and α1β1 integrin-expressing CHO cells (CHO-α1) to type I and IV collagens. Moreover, this peptide affects proliferation of PC12 cells by modulating AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, Lebetin 2 exhibits a potent anti-angiogenic effect as assessed in vitro and ex vivo, using both the embryo chick chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) and rat aortic ring assay. Interestingly, the interaction mode of Lebetin 2 with the integrin α1β1, assessed in silico, showed that the peptide represents a steric obstruction preventing the collagen from enforcing the interactions with the integrin.

Analysis of snake venom metalloproteinases from Myanmar Russell's viper transcriptome

Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are the key enzymes in Russell's viper (RV) venom which target all important components of haemostasis, such as clotting factors, platelets, endothelial cells and basement membrane. The structural diversity of SVMPs contributes to the broad spectrum of biological activities. The aim of the study was to investigate the SVMP transcript profile to gain better insights into the characteristic clinical manifestations of the Myanmar Russell's viper (MRV) bites that distinguish it from the RVs of other habitats. Next generation sequencing (RNA-Seq) of mRNA from MRV venom glands (2 males and 1 female) was performed on an Illumina HiSeq2000 platform and then de novo assembled using Trinity software. A total of 59 SVMP contigs were annotated through a Blastn search against the serpent nucleotide database from NCBI. Among them, disintegrins were the most abundant transcripts (75%) followed by the P-III class SVMPs (25%). The P-II SVMPs were scarce (0.002%), while no P-I SVMPs were detectable in the transcriptome. For detailed structural analysis, contigs were conceptually translated and compared with amino acid sequences from other RVs and other vipers using Clustal Omega. The RTS-disintegrin (jerdostatin homolog) was the most abundant among transcripts corresponding to 5 disintegrin isoforms. From 10 isoforms of SVMPs, RVV-X, and Vipera lebetina apoptosis-inducing protease (VLAIP) homolog, hereby termed Daboia siamensis AIP (DSAIP), were found to be highly expressed. Venom protein analysis using SDS-PAGE followed by mass spectrometry revealed that the disintegrin was scarce, while the latter two SVMPs were abundant. These two proteins can contribute to severe clinical manifestations caused by MRV envenomation.

Association Between Fear and Beauty Evaluation of Snakes: Cross-Cultural Findings.

According to the fear module theory, humans are evolutionarily predisposed to perceive snakes as prioritized stimuli and exhibit a fast emotional and behavioral response toward them. In Europe, highly dangerous snake species are distributed almost exclusively in the Mediterranean and Caspian areas. While the risk of a snakebite is relatively low in Central Europe, Azerbaijan, on the other hand, has a high occurrence of the deadly venomous Levant viper (Macrovipera lebetina). We hypothesize that co-habitation with this dangerous snake has shaped the way in which humans evaluate snake species resembling it. For that purpose, we asked respondents from the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan to rank photographs depicting 36 snake species according to perceived fear and beauty. The results revealed a high cross-cultural agreement in both evaluations (fear r2 = 0.683, p < 0.0001; beauty: r2 = 0.816, p < 0.0001). Snakes species eliciting higher fear tend to be also perceived as more beautiful, yet people are able to clearly distinguish between these two dimensions. Deadly venomous snakes representing a serious risk are perceived as highly fearful. This is especially true for the vipers and allies (pit vipers) possessing a characteristic body shape with a distinct triangular head and thick body, which was found as the most fear evoking by respondents from both countries. Although the attitude toward snakes is more negative among the respondents from Azerbaijan, their fear evaluation is similar to the Czechs. For instance, despite co-habitation with the Levant viper, it was not rated by the Azerbaijanis as more fearful than other dangerous snakes. In conclusion, agreement in the evaluation of snake fear and beauty is cross-culturally high and relative fear attributed to selected snake species is not directly explainable by the current environmental and cultural differences. This may provide some support for the evolutionary hypothesis of preparedness to fear snakes.