Preliminary pharmacological study of purified snake enzymatic cream isolated from Agkistrodon Halys venom.

To investigate the pharmacological and toxicological actions of purified snake enzymatic cream (PSE) isolated from Agkistrodon Halys Venom, erythematous dermatitis was induced by applying dinitrofluorobenezene (DNFB) on the back skin of guinea pigs. Consequent local alterations at different doses of PSE were observed and compared using negative control methods. In skin irritation and acute toxicological experiments, 500 times the effective doses were used in artificially lesioned skin. The marking criteria in the former were based on local manifestations, and in the latter, on changes of some indicators including body weight, breath, and heart rate before and after the experiments. PSE significantly alleviated erythematous dermatitis (p < 0.01, t test) without systemic or local adverse drug reactions within 7 days. PSE as a new drug candidate poses a bright prospect in the prevention and treatment of dermatitis.