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Biodiversity as a source of bioactive compounds against snakebites
Cesar L S Guimaraes, Leandro S Moreira-Dill, Renata S Fernandes
1Centro de Estudos de Biomoleculas Aplicadas a Saude, CEBio, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ Rondonia, e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondonia, UNIR, Porto Velho-RO, Brazil. andreimar@fiocruz.br.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|October 30, 2013
Summary
Snakebite envenomation is a major health concern. Researchers are exploring natural compounds and plant extracts as potential alternatives to traditional antivenom serum due to its adverse reactions.
Area of Science:
- * Pharmacology and Toxicology
- * Ethnobotany and Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- * Snakebites represent a neglected tropical disease, with millions of envenomations annually.
- * Current antivenom serum therapy is associated with adverse reactions, necessitating alternative treatments.
- * Snake toxins cause severe systemic effects including paralysis, hemorrhage, and tissue damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review and validate data on natural products with potential snakebite treatment properties.
- * To identify compounds and plant extracts exhibiting antimyotoxic, anti-hemorrhagic, and anti-inflammatory activities.
- * To explore ethnobotanical knowledge for novel therapeutic agents against snake venom.
Main Methods:
- * Systematic review of scientific literature on snake toxins and natural product inhibitors.
- * Compilation and validation of data on 87 compounds and plant extracts from 79 species.
- * Analysis of ethnopharmacological information regarding traditional uses of plants in snakebite management.
Main Results:
- * Identified 87 compounds and plant extracts with potential therapeutic value against snake venom.
- * These natural products were derived from 79 plant species across 63 genera and 40 families.
- * Data supports the ethnobotanical use of these plants as alternatives or complements to antivenom serum.
Conclusions:
- * Natural products offer promising avenues for developing alternative snakebite therapies.
- * Further research into molecular mechanisms of these compounds is crucial for therapeutic development.
- * Validated data on these natural agents can guide the creation of novel antivenom prototypes.
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