Snake Venom Components as Therapeutic Drugs in Ischemic Heart Disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Ischemic heart disease (IHD), including myocardial infarction (MI), is a primary global cause of mortality.
• While reperfusion limits MI size, it can worsen ischemic myocardial injury, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
• Snake venoms are a rich source of bioactive molecules with significant cardiovascular applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of snake venom toxins in developing treatments for IHD.
• To explore their application in managing related conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.
• To summarize their molecular mechanisms, pharmacological properties, and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on snake venom toxins and cardiovascular diseases.
• Analysis of biological effects at the molecular level.
• Examination of pharmacological properties, mechanisms of action, and molecular pathways.

Main Results:

• Snake venom-derived compounds, like captopril, have already led to successful cardiovascular drugs.
• Various toxins exhibit diverse pharmacological activities relevant to IHD, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
• Molecules are in different stages of development, from approved drugs to preclinical candidates.

Conclusions:

• Snake venom toxins represent a promising avenue for novel therapeutic agents against IHD.
• Further research into these toxins can yield new drug candidates for cardiovascular diseases.
• Understanding their molecular targets and pathways is crucial for effective drug development.