Cerastes cerastes venom (CCV)

Cerastes cerastes venom is a complex biochemical mixture of proteins and peptides produced by the Saharan Horned Viper, primarily utilized for prey immobilization and digestion. The venom is characterized by its potent hemotoxic and cytotoxic properties, which are largely driven by enzymes such as snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), and serine proteases (Fahmi et al., 2012). These components act synergistically to disrupt the vascular endothelium, degrade the extracellular matrix, and interfere with the coagulation cascade, leading to local edema, systemic hemorrhage, and consumptive coagulopathy (Casewell et al., 2015). Additionally, the venom contains non-enzymatic proteins like disintegrins that inhibit platelet aggregation by binding to integrin receptors, further exacerbating bleeding risks. While the venom is the primary agent of pathology in snakebite envenomation, its individual constituents are of significant interest in drug discovery for developing novel anticoagulants and anti-cancer agents. Clinical management of envenomation requires the rapid administration of antivenoms, which consist of purified antibodies designed to neutralize the diverse toxic proteins within the venom (WHO, 2021).

Other names

Saharan Horned Viper venomHorned Desert Viper venomCerastes cerastes snake venom

Passive immunization via polyvalent or monovalent antivenom containing F(ab')2 or Fab antibody fragments that bind and neutralize specific venom toxins, such as metalloproteinases and phospholipases, preventing their interaction with host tissues and coagulation factors (WHO, 2021).