Biochemical and biological analysis of Philodryas baroni (Baron's Green Racer; Dipsadidae) venom: Relevance to the findings of human risk assessment

Author(s)

Sanchez, M. N. ^[1] ; Timoniuk, A. ^[1] ; Marunak, S. ^[1] ; Teibler, P. ^[1] ; Acosta, O. ^[1] ; Peichoto, M. E. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Nacl Nordeste, Fac Ciencias Vet, Corrientes - Argentina

^[2] Inst Nacl Med Trop INMeT, RA-3370 Puerto Iguazu - Argentina

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HUMAN & EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY; v. 33, n. 1, p. 22-31, JAN 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Philodryas baronian attractively colored snakehas become readily available through the exotic pet trade. Most people consider this species harmless; however, it has already caused human envenomation. As little is known about the venom from this South American opisthoglyphous colubrid snake, herein, we studied its protein composition by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), as well as its effects on the hemostatic system. Both reducing and nonreducing SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the venom exhibits greatest complexity in the range of 50-80kDa. The venom displayed proteolytic activity toward azocollagen, with a specific activity of 75.5Umg(-1), and rapidly hydrolyzed the A-chain of fibrinogen, exhibiting lower activity toward the B- and -chains. The venom from P. baroni showed no platelet proaggregating activity per se, but it inhibited collagen- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Prominent hemorrhage developed in mouse skin after intradermal injection of the crude venom, and its minimum hemorrhagic dose was 13.9g. When injected intramuscularly into the gastrocnemius of mice, the venom induced local effects such as hemorrhage, myonecrosis, edema, and leucocyte infiltration. Due to its venom toxicity shown herein, P. baroni should be considered dangerous to humans and any medically significant bite should be promptly reviewed by a qualified health professional. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/52559-3 - Importance of local damage induced by snake venom metalloproteinases in the induction of thrombocytopenia in envenomations
• Grantee: Marcelo Larami Santoro
• Support type: Regular Research Grants