Evaluation of tumor growth remission in a murine model for subcutaneous solid tumors - Benefits of associating the antitumor agent crotamine with mesoporous nanosilica particles to achieve improved dosing frequency and efficacy.

Crotamine is a highly cationic polypeptide first isolated from South American rattlesnake venom, which exhibits affinity for acidic lysosomal vesicles and proliferating cells. This cationic nature is pivotal for its in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo anticancer actions. This study aimed to enhance the antitumor efficacy of crotamine by associating it with the mesoporous SBA-15 silica, known for its controlled release of various chemical agents, including large proteins.

Author Correction: Cobrotoxin could be an effective therapeutic for COVID-19.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Innovative design for a phase 1 trial with intra-patient dose escalation: The Crotoxin study.

Introduction: Crotoxin has a broad antitumor activity but has shown frequent neurotoxic toxicity. To induce tolerance and limit this toxicity, we propose a new design with intra-patient dose escalation.

Methods: A new Dose Limiting Toxicity definition was used.

Crotoxin enhances the antitumor activity of gefinitib (Iressa) in SK-MES-1 human lung squamous carcinoma cells.

Crotoxin (CrTX), a neurotoxin, is isolated from the venom of South American rattlesnakes and has potent antitumor activity. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of CrTX on the SK-MES-1 human lung squamous cell carcinoma cell line that has acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. CrTX caused G1 arrest and p-JNK protein upregulation that resulted in apoptosis of SK-MES-1 cells.

Alpha-cobratoxin inhibits T-type calcium currents through muscarinic M4 receptor and Gο-protein βγ subunits-dependent protein kinase A pathway in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

The long-chain neurotoxic protein, alpha-cobratoxin (α-CTx), has been shown to have analgesic effects. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of α-CTx on T-type calcium channel currents (T-currents) and elucidated the relevant mechanisms in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.

Involvement of cholinergic system in suppression of formalin-induced inflammatory pain by cobratoxin.

Aim: To investigate the analgesic effect of cobratoxin (CTX), a long-chain α-neurotoxin from Thailand cobra venom, in a rat model of formalin-induced inflammatory pain.

Methods: Inflammatory pain was induced in SD rats via injecting 5% formalin (50 μL) into the plantar surface of their right hind paw. CTX and other agents were ip administered before formalin injection.

Cobra venom: A review of the old alternative to opiate analgesics.

Pain has been called the fifth vital sign, and chronic pain impacts the lives of millions. The search for better analgesics is at a fever pitch, but opiates still dominate the moderate to severe pain treatment spectrum, and morphine, essentially a 2000-year-old drug, is still the gold standard. By today's pharmaceutical standards, opiates are old hat, and physicians are generally reluctant to prescribe them due to their potential for adverse effects and abuse.

Cobratoxin inhibits pain-evoked discharge of neurons in thalamic parafascicular nucleus in rats: involvement of cholinergic and serotonergic systems.

The present study investigated the inhibitory effect of cobratoxin (CTX) on pain-evoked discharge of neurons in thalamic parafascicular nucleus (Pf) of rats and analyzed some of the mechanisms involved in this effect. Intracerebroventricular injection (icv) of CTX at 0.56, 1.

Suppression of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced adjuvant arthritis by cobratoxin.

Aim: Cobratoxin (CTX), the long-chain alpha-neurotoxin from Thailand cobra venom, has been demonstrated to have analgesic action in rodent pain models. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of CTX on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats.

Methods: Arthritis was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in rats.

Alpha-cobratoxin as a possible therapy for multiple sclerosis: a review of the literature leading to its development for this application.

The use of snake venom in the treatment of multiple sclerosis has been, at best, controversial. The anecdotal reports for snake venom's beneficial effects in this condition may be supportable now by recent scientific evidence. Cobratoxin, a neurotoxin obtained from the venom of the Thailand cobra, has demonstrated several pharmacological activities that strongly support its use in this application.

Inhibitory effect of crotoxin on the pain-evoked discharge of neurons in thalamic parafascicular nucleus in rats.

Crotoxin (Cro), the principal neurotoxic component of Crotalus durissus terrificus, has been previously reported to have a behavioral analgesic effect in rats and mice. The present study investigated electrophysiologically the effect of Cro on pain-evoked unit discharge of neurons in thalamic parafascicular nucleus (Pf) and underlying mechanisms of its effect. The electrical discharge of Pf neurons was recorded with the microelectrode technique in rats.

Analgesic effects of receptin, a chemically modified cobratoxin from Thailand cobra venom.

Objective To investigate the analgesia induced by receptin (REC), a chemically modified cobratoxin (CTX, a long-chain postsynaptic alpha -neurotoxin from Thailand cobra venom), and the effects of atropine and naloxone on antinociceptive activity of REC in rodent pain models. Methods REC was administered intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg, 7.07 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg, i.

A short-chain alpha-neurotoxin from Naja naja atra produces potent cholinergic-dependent analgesia.

Objective To investigate the analgesia induced by cobrotoxin (CT) from venom of Naja naja atra, and the effects of atropine and naloxone on the antinociceptive activity of CT in rodent pain models. Methods CT was administered intraperitoneally (33.3, 50, 75 mu g/kg), intra-cerebral venticularly (2.

Opiate and acetylcholine-independent analgesic actions of crotoxin isolated from crotalus durissus terrificus venom.

The venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus is reported to have analgesic activity and the administration of Crotoxin (Cro) to cancer patients is reported to reduce the consumption of analgesics. This study investigated the analgesia induced by Cro and the effects of atropine and naloxone on the antinociceptive activity of Cro in mice and rats. The results showed that Cro at 66.

Amelioration of acute and relapsing stages of the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by cobra toxins.

Neurological deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) and in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) show demyelination of the nerve fibers, which are responsible for transmission of signals. The myelin appears to be attacked by the cells of the immune system. A viral etiology has been implicated in patients with MS.

A long-form alpha-neurotoxin from cobra venom produces potent opioid-independent analgesia.

Aim: In light of the antinociceptive activity of the short-chain neurotoxin, cobrotoxin, and other acetylcholine antagonists, the antinociceptive activity and mechanisms of cobratoxin (CTX), a long-chain postsynaptic alpha-neurotoxin, was investigated in rodent pain models.

Methods: CTX was administered intraperitoneally (30, 45, 68 microg/kg), intra-cerebral ventricularly (4.5 microg/kg) or microinjected into periaqueductal gray (PAG; 4.