Melatonin inhibits snake venom and antivenom induced oxidative stress and augments treatment efficacy.

Snakebite is a neglected health hazard. Its patho-physiology has largely been focused on systemic and local toxicities; whereas, venom and antivenom induced oxidative stress has long been ignored. Antivenom therapy although neutralizes venom lethality and saves many lives, remains ineffective against oxidative stress.

NETosis and lack of DNase activity are key factors in Echis carinatus venom-induced tissue destruction.

Indian Echis carinatus bite causes sustained tissue destruction at the bite site. Neutrophils, the major leukocytes in the early defence process, accumulate at the bite site. Here we show that E.

Lupeol derivative mitigates Echis carinatus venom-induced tissue destruction by neutralizing venom toxins and protecting collagen and angiogenic receptors on inflammatory cells.

Background: Echis carinatus bite is a serious threat in South-Asian countries including India, as it causes highest number of deaths and terrifying long-term tissue destruction at the bitten site. Although venom metalloproteinases and hyaluronidases are the suggested key players, studies on the effect of venom on polymorphonuclear cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets, and their role in long-term tissue destruction are still in infancy. While, the effect of venom on collagen receptors, integrin α2β1/GP VI/DDR1 and CX3CR1 chemokine receptor present on these cells is an untouched area.

Oxidative stress-induced methemoglobinemia is the silent killer during snakebite: a novel and strategic neutralization by melatonin.

Oxidative stress-induced methemoglobinemia remained an untouched area in venom pharmacology till date. This study for the first time explored the potential of animal venoms to oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobin. In in vitro whole-blood assay, methemoglobin forming ability of venoms varied as Naja naja > Ophiophagus hannah > Echis carinatus > Daboia russellii > Apis mellifera > Mesobuthus tamulus > Hippasa partita.