Snake venom toxins from Bitis arietans, Cerastes cerastes, Cerastes deserti, Echis leucogaster, Naja nigricollis, Naja melanoleuca, and Naja haje

The target comprises a complex array of toxic proteins and peptides found in the venoms of seven medically significant African snake species: Bitis arietans, Cerastes cerastes, Cerastes deserti, Echis leucogaster, Naja nigricollis, Naja melanoleuca, and Naja haje [1, 2]. These venoms contain diverse molecular families, including phospholipases A2 (PLA2), snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP), serine proteases, and three-finger toxins (3FTx), which act synergistically to incapacitate prey or cause severe pathology in humans [3]. Vipers like Bitis and Echis primarily induce hemotoxicity and tissue necrosis through enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix and interference with the coagulation cascade [4, 5]. Elapids such as the Naja species (cobras) are characterized by potent neurotoxicity, leading to respiratory paralysis via blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and cytotoxicity causing local tissue destruction [6]. Therapeutic management involves the administration of polyvalent antivenoms that provide passive immunity by neutralizing these toxins [7]. Additionally, small-molecule inhibitors like Varespladib and Marimastat are being researched for their ability to inhibit specific enzymatic components like PLA2 and SVMPs, respectively, offering potential field-stable treatments [8].

Other names

African snake venomsViperidae and Elapidae venom toxinsBitis/Cerastes/Echis/Naja venom proteins

Neutralization of toxic proteins by specific antibodies (antivenom) or competitive inhibition of enzymatic toxins such as phospholipase A2 or metalloproteinases.