Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 197 in total

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  1. Fung SY, Tan NH, Sim SM
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Dec;27(3):366-72.
    PMID: 21399576 MyJurnal
    The protective effects of Mucuna pruriens seed extract (MPE) against the cardio-respiratory depressant and neuromuscular paralytic effects induced by injection of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) venom in anaesthetized rats were investigated. While MPE pretreatment did not reverse the inhibitory effect of the venom on the gastrocnemius muscle excitability, it significantly attenuated the venom-induced cardio-respiratory depressant effects (p < 0.05). The protection effects may have an immunological mechanism, as indicated by the presence of several proteins in the venom that are immunoreactive against anti-MPE. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the pretreatment may exert a direct, non-immunological protective action against the venom.
    Matched MeSH terms: Crotalid Venoms/antagonists & inhibitors*; Crotalid Venoms/toxicity
  2. Cheong, C.Y., Lee, C.K., Zuki Z.
    Malays Orthop J, 2010;4(1):-.
    MyJurnal
    Snakebite is very common especially in Asia. We report a rare case of Providencia rettgeri infection following snakebite on the foot. This patient was treated with early and aggressive wound debridement, daily wound dressing during hospitalization and then skin coverage with split skin graft. No anti-venom was given administered. Appropriate intravenous antibiotics were given to the patient while hospitalized and oral antibiotic were prescribed upon discharge. The outcome of this treatment was successful.
    Matched MeSH terms: Venoms
  3. Tan CH, Leong PK, Fung SY, Sim SM, Ponnudurai G, Ariaratnam C, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2011 Feb;117(2):119-24.
    PMID: 21073851 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.11.001
    Hypnale hypnale (hump-nosed pit viper) is a medically important venomous snake in Sri Lanka and Southwestern India. Bite of this snake may result in hemostatic dysfunction, acute kidney injury and death. Clinical studies indicated that the locally available polyvalent antivenoms produced in India are not effective against hump-nosed pit viper envenoming. Hence, there is an urgent need to search for effective antivenom. In this paper, we examined the ability of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) monovalent antivenom and the Hemato polyvalent antivenom (both produced by Thai Red Cross Society, TRCS) to neutralize the lethality and toxic effects of H. hypnale venom, as C. rhodostoma is considered a sister taxon of H. hypnale. In vitro neutralization studies showed that the Hemato polyvalent antivenom effectively neutralized the lethality of H. hypnale venom (1.52mgvenom/mL antivenom) as well as the hemorrhagic, procoagulant and necrotic activities of the venom. The monovalent C. rhodostoma antivenom could also neutralize the lethality and toxic activities of the venom, but the potency was lower. The Hemato polyvalent antivenom also effectively protected mice from the lethal and local effects of H. hypnale venom in an in vivo rodent model of envenoming. Furthermore, the polyvalent antivenom could also effectively neutralize the venom of Daboia russelii (2.50mgvenom/mL antivenom), another common cause of snake bites in Sri Lanka and South India. These findings suggested that the Hemato polyvalent antivenom may be beneficial in the antivenom treatment of H. hypnale envenoming.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viper Venoms/toxicity*
  4. Lee ML, Tan NH, Fung SY, Sekaran SD
    PMID: 21059402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2010.11.001
    The major l-amino acid oxidase (LAAO, EC 1.4.3.2) of king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom is known to be an unusual form of snake venom LAAO as it possesses unique structural features and unusual thermal stability. The antibacterial effects of king cobra venom LAAO were tested against several strains of clinical isolates including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli using broth microdilution assay. For comparison, the antibacterial effects of several antibiotics (cefotaxime, kanamycin, tetracycline, vancomycin and penicillin) were also examined using the same conditions. King cobra venom LAAO was very effective in inhibiting the two Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.78μg/mL (0.006μM) and 1.56μg/mL (0.012μM) against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, respectively. The MICs are comparable to the MICs of the antibiotics tested, on a weight basis. However, the LAAO was only moderately effective against three Gram-negative bacteria tested (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and E. coli), with MIC ranges from 25 to 50μg/mL (0.2-0.4μM). Catalase at the concentration of 1mg/mL abolished the antibacterial effect of LAAO, indicating that the antibacterial effect of the enzyme involves generation of hydrogen peroxide. Binding studies indicated that king cobra venom LAAO binds strongly to the Gram-positive S. aureus and S. epidermidis, but less strongly to the Gram-negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa, indicating that specific binding to bacteria is important for the potent antibacterial activity of the enzyme.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cobra Venoms/enzymology*
  5. Fung SY, Tan NH, Sim SM, Marinello E, Guerranti R, Aguiyi JC
    Indian J Exp Biol, 2011 Apr;49(4):254-9.
    PMID: 21614888
    Mucuna pruriens has been used by native Nigerians as a prophylactic for snakebite. The protective effects of M. pruriens seed extract (MPE) were investigated against the pharmacological actions of N. sputatrix (Javan spitting cobra) venom in rats. The results showed that MPE-pretreatment protected against cardiorespiratory and, to a lesser extent, neuromuscular depressant effects of N. sputatrix venom. These may be explained at least in part by the neutralisation of the cobra venom toxins by anti-MPE antibodies elicited by the MPE pretreatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cobra Venoms/antagonists & inhibitors*; Cobra Venoms/toxicity
  6. Kumarapppan C, Jaswanth A, Kumarasunderi K
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2011 Sep;4(9):743-7.
    PMID: 21967700 DOI: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60185-5
    OBJECTIVE: To validate traditional claims of usefulness of the Indian plants in management of poisonous snakebite and evaluate the antivenom properties displayed by the alcoholic extracts of Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata), Crateva magna (C. magna), Gloriosa superba (G. superba) and Hydrocotyle javanica (H. javanica).

    METHODS: These plants were collected, identified and the extracts were prepared by using conventional Soxhlet ethanol extraction technique. The venom neutralization activity was accessed in mice (20-25g) and number of mortalities was observed against clinically important snake (Naja nigricollis) venom. Present study also deals with in vitro membrane stabilizing activity of these plants against hyposaline induced human red blood corpuscles (HRBC).

    RESULTS: Extracts of H. javanica and G. superba gave 80 % and 90 % protection to mice treated with minimum lethal dose of venom (LD(99)). These two plants showed significant neutralization effect against the venoms of Naja nigricollis venom. H. javanica and G. superba (25-100 mg/mL) produced significant changes of membrane stabilization of human red blood cells (HRBC) exposed to hyposaline-induced haemolysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that probably due to presence of various phytochemicals plays an important role in the anti-venom potential of these Indian medicinal plants against Naja nigricollis venom. The above observations confirmed that A. paniculata, C. magna, G. superba and H. javanica plant extracts possess potent snake venom neutralizing capacity and could potentially be used as an adjuvants for antivenin therapy in case of snakebite envenomation, especially against the local effects of cobra venoms.

    Matched MeSH terms: Snake Venoms/antagonists & inhibitors*; Snake Venoms/toxicity
  7. Ambikabothy J, Ibrahim H, Ambu S, Chakravarthi S, Awang K, Vejayan J
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2011 Sep 1;137(1):257-62.
    PMID: 21640180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.013
    Evaluations of the anti-snake venom efficacy of Mimosa pudica tannin isolate (MPT) obtained from root of the plant.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cobra Venoms/enzymology; Cobra Venoms/toxicity*
  8. Lazarev VN, Polina NF, Shkarupeta MM, Kostrjukova ES, Vassilevski AA, Kozlov SA, et al.
    Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 2011 Nov;55(11):5367-9.
    PMID: 21876050 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00449-11
    Spider venoms are vast natural pharmacopoeias selected by evolution. The venom of the ant spider Lachesana tarabaevi contains a wide variety of antimicrobial peptides. We tested six of them (latarcins 1, 2a, 3a, 4b, 5, and cytoinsectotoxin 1a) for their ability to suppress Chlamydia trachomatis infection. HEK293 cells were transfected with plasmid vectors harboring the genes of the selected peptides. Controlled expression of the transgenes led to a significant decrease of C. trachomatis viability inside the infected cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Spider Venoms/metabolism*
  9. Lippmann JM, Fenner PJ, Winkel K, Gershwin LA
    J Travel Med, 2011 Jul-Aug;18(4):275-81.
    PMID: 21722240 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2011.00531.x
    Jellyfish are a common cause of injury throughout the world, with fatalities and severe systemic events not uncommon after tropical stings. The internet is a recent innovation to gain information on real-time health issues of travel destinations, including Southeast Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cnidarian Venoms/poisoning*
  10. Chew KS, Khor HW, Ahmad R, Rahman NH
    Int J Emerg Med, 2011;4:41.
    PMID: 21752254 DOI: 10.1186/1865-1380-4-41
    Although the majority of the snakebite cases in Malaysia are due to non-venomous snakes, venomous bites cause significant morbidity and mortality if treatment measures, especially ant-venom therapy, are delayed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ant Venoms
  11. Tan NH, Fung SY, Yap YH
    PMID: 21983189 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2011.09.009
    A thrombin-like enzyme (termed albolabrase) was isolated in purified form from the venom of Cryptelytrops albolabris (white-lipped tree viper) using high performance anion ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of albolabrase was 33.7 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and 35.8 kDa as determined by Superose gel filtration chromatography. The N-terminal sequence was determined to be VVGGDECNINE which is homologous to many snake venom thrombin-like enzymes. Albolabrase exhibits both arginine ester hydrolase and arginine amidase activities and the enzyme is fastidious towards tripeptide chromogenic anilide substrates. The fibrinogen clotting activity was optimum at 3mg/mL bovine fibrinogen, and showed distinct species differences in the following decreasing order: bovine fibrinogen>dog fibrinogen≈human fibrinogen>goat fibrinogen. The enzyme failed to clot both rabbit and cat fibrinogens. Reversed-phase HPLC analysis on the breakdown products of fibrinogenolytic action of albolabrase indicated that the enzyme belongs to the AB class of snake venom thrombin-like enzyme. In the indirect ELISA, IgG anti-albolabrase reacted extensively with most crotalid venoms, except with Tropidolaemus wagleri and Calloselasma rhodostoma venoms. The double sandwich ELISA, however, showed that anti-albolabrase reacted strongly only with venoms from the Trimeresurus complex, and that the results support the proposed new taxonomy changes concerning the Trimeresurus complex.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viper Venoms/enzymology*
  12. Tan TL, Ismail AK, Kong KW, Ahmad NK
    J Emerg Med, 2012 Apr;42(4):420-3.
    PMID: 22154775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2011.03.038
    The paradise tree snake, Chrysopelea paradisi, is a rear-fanged colubrid. Like other members of the genus Chrysopelea, it is able to glide through the air, and thus, is commonly known as a "flying snake." There are few documented effects of its bite on humans.
    Matched MeSH terms: Snake Venoms/poisoning*
  13. Tan CH, Tan NH, Sim SM, Fung SY, Gnanathasan CA
    Acta Trop, 2012 Jun;122(3):267-75.
    PMID: 22322247 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.01.016
    Envenomation by hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale, Hh) in Sri Lanka has caused significant morbidity and mortality, attributed to 35% of total venomous snakebites. In Southwestern India (Kerala), H. hypnale was increasingly identified as a dangerous and common source of envenomation, second to the Russell's viper but ahead of the cobra bites. Unfortunately, there is still no specific antivenom to date. This study aims to investigate the immunological properties of the venom and to assess the feasibility of specific Hh antivenom production as well as the development of a diagnostic assay. Hh venom elicited satisfactory titers of anti-Hh IgG in rabbits after 3rd immunization. The anti-Hh IgG, isolated with caprylic acid precipitation method, was effective in neutralizing the venom lethality (potency=48 LD(50) per ml IgG) as well as its procoagulant, hemorrhagic and necrotic effects, indicating the possibility to produce the specific antivenom using the common immunization regime. Cross-reactivity studies using indirect ELISA showed that anti-Hh IgG cross-reacted extensively with several Asiatic crotalid venoms, particularly that of Calloselasma rhodostoma (73.6%), presumably due to the presence of venom antigens common to both snakes. Levels of immunological cross-reactivity were vastly reduced with double-sandwich ELISA. Further work demonstrated that the assay was able to distinguish and quantify venoms of H. hypnale, Daboia russelii and Echis carinatus sinhaleyus (three common local viperid) used to spike human sera at various concentrations. The assay hence may be a useful investigating tool for diagnosing biting species and studying the time course profile of venom concentrations in blood.
    Matched MeSH terms: Crotalid Venoms/immunology*
  14. Ismail AK, Weinstein SA, Auliya M, Appareo P
    Clin Toxicol (Phila), 2012 Jul;50(6):518-21.
    PMID: 22702902 DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2012.696119
    Envenoming by some species of cobras (Naja species) may include cardiotoxic effects including various dysrhythmias. However, dysrhythmias leading specifically to ventricular bigeminy have not been previously documented. We report a case of cardiotoxicity and the development of ventricular bigeminy following a cobra envenomation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cobra Venoms/toxicity*
  15. Bae N, Li L, Lödl M, Lubec G
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2012 Oct 30;109(44):17920-4.
    PMID: 23071323 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1209632109
    Protein profiling has revealed the presence of glacontryphan-M, a peptide toxin identified only in the sea snail genus Conus, in the wings of Hebomoia glaucippe (HG). The wings and body of HG were homogenized and the proteins were extracted and analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis with subsequent in-gel digestion. Posttranslational protein modifications were detected and analyzed by nano-LC-MS/MS. An antibody was generated against glacontryphan-M, and protein extracts from the wings of HG samples from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines were tested by immunoblotting. Glacontryphan-M was unambiguously identified in the wings of HG containing the following posttranslational protein modifications: monoglutamylation at E55, methylation at E53, quinone modification at W61, cyanylation at C56, and amidation of the C terminus at G63. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of the toxin in the wings of HG from all origins, showing a single band for glacontryphan-M in HG samples from Malaysia and Philippines and a double band in HG samples from Indonesia. Intriguingly, sequence analysis indicated that the Conus glacontryphan is identical to that of HG. The toxin may function as a defense against diverse predators, including ants, mantes, spiders, lizards, green frogs, and birds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mollusk Venoms/isolation & purification*; Mollusk Venoms/chemistry
  16. Leong PK, Tan NH, Fung SY, Sim SM
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2012 Dec;106(12):731-7.
    PMID: 23062608 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2012.07.009
    Cross neutralisation of venoms by antivenom raised against closely-related species has been well documented. The spectrum of paraspecific protection of antivenom raised against Asiatic Naja and Bungarus (krait) venoms, however, has not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the cross neutralisation of venoms from common Southeast Asian cobras and kraits by two widely used polyvalent antivenoms produced in India: Vins Polyvalent Antivenom (VPAV) and Bharat Polyvalent Antivenom (BPAV), using both in vitro and in vivo mouse protection assays. BPAV was only moderately effective against venoms of N. kaouthia (Thailand) and N. sumatrana, and either very weakly effective or totally ineffective against the other cobra and krait venoms. VPAV, on the other hand, neutralised effectively all the Southeast Asian Naja venoms tested, as well as N. naja, B. candidus and Ophiophagus hannah venoms, but the potency ranges from effective to weakly effective. In an in vivo rodent model, VPAV also neutralised the lethality of venoms from Asiatic Naja and B. candidus. In anesthetised rat studies, both antivenoms effectively protected against the N. kaouthia venom-induced cardio-respiratory depressant and neuromuscular blocking effects. Overall, our results suggest that VPAV could be used as alternative antivenom for the treatment of elapid envenomation in Southeast Asian regions including Malaysia, Thailand and certain regions of Indonesia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Elapid Venoms/antagonists & inhibitors*; Elapid Venoms/immunology; Elapid Venoms/toxicity
  17. Tan CH, Tan NH, Sim SM, Fung SY, Jayalakshmi P, Gnanathasan CA
    Toxicon, 2012 Dec 1;60(7):1259-62.
    PMID: 22975088 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.08.012
    Mice experimentally envenomed with Hypnale hypnale venom (1× and 1.5×LD₅₀) developed acute kidney injury (AKI) principally characterized by raised blood urea and creatinine. Prolonged blood clotting time and hemorrhage in lungs implied bleeding tendency. Pallor noted in most renal cortices was suggestive of renal ischemia secondary to consumptive coagulopathy. Intravenous infusion of Hemato polyvalent antivenom following experimental envenoming effectively prevented death and AKI in all mice, supporting its potential therapeutic use in envenoming cases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Crotalid Venoms/toxicity*
  18. Maung KM, Lynn Z
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Dec;29(4):580-7.
    PMID: 23202603
    Snake bite has been regarded as an important health problem in Myanmar since early 1960's. In the recent years, there has been growing interest in alternative therapies and therapeutic use of natural products, especially those derive from plants. In Myanmar and Indian traditional medicine, various plants have used as a remedy for treating snake bite. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of alcohol extract of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica Linn.) seed on some biologic properties of Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis) venom (RVV). The Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme, coagulase enzyme and caseinolytic enzyme activities of Russell's viper venom (RVV) were reduced when mixed and incubated with the extract. When the RVV and the different amount of extracts were preincubated and injected intramuscularly into mice, all of them survived, but all the mice in the control group died. On the other hand, when RVV were injected first followed by the extract into mice, all of them died. If the extract was injected near the site where Russell's viper venom was injected, all the mice survived for more than 24 hours and the survival time prolonged but they all died within 96 hours. In conclusion, according to the results obtained, the extract neutralizes some biologic properties of the Russell's viper venom and prolonged the survival time if the extract was injected near the site where the Russell's viper venom was injected.
    Matched MeSH terms: Venoms/enzymology; Venoms/toxicity*
  19. Fung SY, Tan NH, Sim SM, Aguiyi JC
    PMID: 21785646 DOI: 10.1155/2012/486390
    Mucuna pruriens Linn. (velvet bean) has been used by native Nigerians as a prophylactic for snakebite. Rats pretreated with M. pruriens seed extract (MPE) have been shown to protect against the lethal and cardiovascular depressant effects of Naja sputatrix (Javan spitting cobra) venoms, and the protective effect involved immunological neutralization of the venom toxins. To investigate further the mechanism of the protective effect of MPE pretreatment against cobra venom toxicity, the actions of Naja sputatrix venom on spontaneously beating rat atria and aortic rings isolated from both MPE pretreated and untreated rats were studied. Our results showed that the MPE pretreatment conferred protection against cobra venom-induced depression of atrial contractility and atrial rate in the isolated atrial preparations, but it had no effect on the venom-induced contractile response of aortic ring preparation. These observations suggested that the protective effect of MPE pretreatment against cobra venom toxicity involves a direct protective action of MPE on the heart function, in addition to the known immunological neutralization mechanism, and that the protective effect does not involve action on blood vessel contraction. The results also suggest that M. pruriens seed may contain novel cardioprotective agent with potential therapeutic value.
    Matched MeSH terms: Elapid Venoms
  20. Yap MK, Tan NH, Sim SM, Fung SY
    Toxicon, 2013 Jun;68:18-23.
    PMID: 23537711 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.02.017
    Existing protocols for antivenom treatment of snake envenomations are generally not well optimized due partly to inadequate knowledge of the toxicokinetics of venoms. The toxicokinetics of Naja sputatrix (Javan spitting cobra) venom was investigated following intravenous and intramuscular injections of the venom into rabbits using double-sandwich ELISA. The toxicokinetics of the venom injected intravenously fitted a two-compartment model. When the venom was injected intramuscularly, the serum concentration-time profile exhibited a more complex absorption and/or distribution pattern. Nevertheless, the terminal half-life, volume of distribution by area and systemic clearance of the venom injected intramuscularly were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from that of the venom injected intravenously. The systemic bioavailability of the venom antigens injected by intramuscular route was 41.7%. Our toxicokinetic finding is consistent with other reports, and may indicate that some cobra venom toxins have high affinity for the tissues at the site of injection. Our results suggest that the intramuscular route of administration doesn't significantly alter the toxicokinetics of N. sputatrix venom although it significantly reduces the systemic bioavailability of the venom.
    Matched MeSH terms: Elapid Venoms/pharmacokinetics*
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