A paradoxical task of the venom gland of snakes is the synthesis and storage of an instantly available suite of toxins to immobilize prey and the protection of the snake against its own venom components. Furthermore, autolysis of the venom constituents due to the action of venom metalloproteases is an additional problem, particularly among viperid venoms, which are typically rich in lytic enzym...

objective(s):cone snails are estimated to consist of up to 700 species. the venom of these snails has yielded a rich source of novel peptides. this study was aimed to study the analgesic effect of persian gulf conus textile and its comparison with morphine in mouse model. materials and methods: samples were collected in larak island. the venom ducts were isolated and kept on ice then homogenize...

The diagnosis of insect venom allergy and the indication for specific immunotherapy is based on history, skin tests and demonstration of hymenoptera venom-specific IgE-antibodies. Cellular tests can add useful information but the role of basophil activation tests for the different venoms has to be elucidated further. We evaluated positive reactions in a basophil activation test using CD63 expre...

In recent years, use of biodegradable polymers based nanoparticles has received highinterest in the development of vaccines delivery vehicles. The aim of study was to preparechitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) for loading Echis carinatus (EC) venom and evaluate theirpotential as an adjuvant and antigen delivery system on a pilot scale. CS NPs were preparedusing ionic gelation method, and their char...

Group or population level self-organised systems comprise many individuals displaying group-level emergent properties. Current theory indicates that individual-level behaviours have an effect on the final group-level behaviour; that is, self-organised systems are sensitive to small changes in individual behaviour. Here we examine a self-organised behaviour in relation to environmentally-driven ...

Venom detection is crucial for confirmation of envenomation and snake type in snake-bite patients. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is used to detect venom, but antivenom in samples prevents venom detection. We aimed to detect snake venom in post-antivenom samples after dissociating venom-antivenom complexes with glycine-HCl (pH 2.2) and heating for 30 min at 950 °C. Serum samples underwent dissociatio...

The effect of spine venom from the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver was studied. The spine venom was prepared by saturation of spine homogenate with ammonium sulfate and the protein fraction precipitating 50% saturation was used as venom B. Venom A was the protein precipitated between 50 and 100% saturation. When venom B (100-200 mg/kg) was...

background : antivenom is still widely used in the treatment of envenomation as there are no vaccines or other effective agents available against animal venoms. recently, neurotoxins named birtoxin family have been described from parabuthus transvaalicus and androctonus crassicauda. the aim of the present study was to test the antibirtoxin antibodies for their ability to neutralize the lethal e...