Abstract
Snakes are fascinating creatures and have been residents of this planet well before ancient humans dwelled the earth. Venomous snakes have been a figure of fear, and cause notable mortality throughout the world. The venom constitutes families of proteins and peptides with various isoforms that make it a cocktail of diverse molecules. These biomolecules are responsible for the disturbance in fundamental physiological systems of the envenomed victim, leading to morbidity which can lead to death if left untreated. Researchers have turned these life-threatening toxins into life-saving therapeutics via technological advancements. Since the development of captopril, the first drug that was derived from bradykininpotentiating peptide of Bothrops jararaca, to the disintegrins that have potent activity against certain types of cancers, snake venom components have shown great potential for the development of lead compounds for new drugs. There is a continuous development of new drugs from snake venom for coagulopathy and hemostasis to anti-cancer agents. In this review, we have focused on different snake venom proteins / peptides derived drugs that are in clinical use or in developmental stages till to date. Also, some commonly used snake venom derived diagnostic tools along with the recent updates in this exciting field are discussed.
Keywords: Snake toxin, therapeutic agents, venom diagnostic tools, anti-coagulant agents, drug discovery and development, peptide drugs, pharmaceutical industry, fibrin sealant, omics technologies.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Snake Venom: From Deadly Toxins to Life-saving Therapeutics
Volume: 24 Issue: 17
Author(s): Humera Waheed*, Syed F. Moin and M. I. Choudhary
Affiliation:
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, 75270-Karachi,Pakistan
Keywords: Snake toxin, therapeutic agents, venom diagnostic tools, anti-coagulant agents, drug discovery and development, peptide drugs, pharmaceutical industry, fibrin sealant, omics technologies.
Abstract: Snakes are fascinating creatures and have been residents of this planet well before ancient humans dwelled the earth. Venomous snakes have been a figure of fear, and cause notable mortality throughout the world. The venom constitutes families of proteins and peptides with various isoforms that make it a cocktail of diverse molecules. These biomolecules are responsible for the disturbance in fundamental physiological systems of the envenomed victim, leading to morbidity which can lead to death if left untreated. Researchers have turned these life-threatening toxins into life-saving therapeutics via technological advancements. Since the development of captopril, the first drug that was derived from bradykininpotentiating peptide of Bothrops jararaca, to the disintegrins that have potent activity against certain types of cancers, snake venom components have shown great potential for the development of lead compounds for new drugs. There is a continuous development of new drugs from snake venom for coagulopathy and hemostasis to anti-cancer agents. In this review, we have focused on different snake venom proteins / peptides derived drugs that are in clinical use or in developmental stages till to date. Also, some commonly used snake venom derived diagnostic tools along with the recent updates in this exciting field are discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Waheed Humera *, Moin F. Syed and Choudhary I. M. , Snake Venom: From Deadly Toxins to Life-saving Therapeutics, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2017; 24 (17) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170605091546
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170605091546 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
PARADIGM - HF: The Rise of the Arnis
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Microbial Polysaccharides and their Derivatives as Current and Prospective Pharmaceuticals
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Patents on Ophthalmic Nanoformulations and Therapeutic Implications
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation Diet and Heart Health: Moderate Wine Drinking Strengthens the Cardioprotective Effects of Fish Consumption
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Biosynthetic Pathways of Bioactive N-Acylethanolamines in Brain
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Role of Vitamin D in Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Design, Synthesis, Pharmacological Evaluation and Descriptor Based Similarities Study of N,N-diphenyl-2-[4-(substituted phenyl)piperazin-1- yl]acetamides as Potential Antipsychotics
Medicinal Chemistry Neurogenesis and Sensorimotor Gating: Bridging a Microphenotype and an Endophenotype
Current Molecular Medicine Empowering Translational Research in Fetal Growth Restriction: Sheep and Swine Animal Models
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Heterogeneity Amongst 5-HT3 Receptor Subunits: Is this Significant?
Current Molecular Medicine Association of Wheat Allergy and Coeliac Disease through Pediatric and Adult Age: A Review of Literature
Current Nutrition & Food Science Comparison between Two Calcium Antagonists: Blood Pressure Reduction and Renal Effects in Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Reviewing the Cardiovascular Complications of HIV Infection After the Introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Microbial Efflux Pump Inhibition: Tactics and Strategies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardiovascular Effects of Hypoglycemic Agents in Diabetes Mellitus
Current Drug Safety Oxytocin - A Multifunctional Analgesic for Chronic Deep Tissue Pain
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Effect of Adult and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Parameters
Current Clinical Pharmacology Purine Ionotropic (P2X) Receptors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Current Hypertension Reviews Catheter-directed Thrombolysis <i>versus</i> Systemic Anticoagulation for Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: A Meta-Analysis
Current Cardiology Reviews