Lapachol and synthetic derivatives: in vitro and in vivo activities against Bothrops snake venoms.

Background: It is known that local tissue injuries incurred by snakebites are quickly instilled causing extensive, irreversible, tissue destruction that may include loss of limb function or even amputation. Such injuries are not completely neutralized by the available antivenins, which in general are focused on halting systemic effects. Therefore it is prudent to investigate the potential antiophidic effects of natural and synthetic compounds, perhaps combining them with serum therapy, to potentially attenuate or eliminate the adverse local and systemic effects of snake venom.

Antiophidic activity of the extract of the Amazon plant Humirianthera ampla and constituents.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Although serotherapy against snakebite has been discovered more than one hundred years ago, antivenom is not available all over Brazil. The use of plants from folk medicine is common mainly in the Brazilian Amazon area. One of these plants is named Humirianthera ampla (HA).

Effect of Crotalus viridis viridis snake venom on the ultrastructure and intracellular survival of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects 16-18 million people in Central and South America. Patient treatment is based on drugs that have toxic effects and limited efficacy. Therefore, new chemotherapeutic agents need to be developed.