Abstract

SNAKE VENOMS: TOXICITY, BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS, IMMUNE RESPONSES, THERAPEUTIC AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL USE

Ravi Kant Upadhyay*, Apoorva Dubey, Arfiya Fatima, Kriti Shah, Arunima Yadav

Abstract

This review article discusses the composition of snake venom, detailing its biological effects, risks, and potential medical applications. Snake venom contains anticoagulants that can cause severe bleeding, as well as various toxic compounds that affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Snake venom contains several neurotoxic, cardiotoxic, cytotoxic, nerve growth factor, lectins, disintegrins, haemorrhaging, and many other enzymes. Snake venom toxins impose fibrinolytic, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic, immunomodulatory, inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. Snake venom very quickly imposes neuro/cardio toxicity, myonecrosis, and impairs respiration and imposes deep oxidative stress on the patient. The article emphasizes the need to study the venom's structure and reactivity to develop new drugs and expand therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Snake toxins, tissue and cell damage, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, antitumor, antimicrobial, anticoagulating, and analgesic activities.