Phosphate-Buffered Saline and Dimethyl Sulfoxide Enhance the Antivenom Action of Ruthenium Chloride against Venom in Human Plasma-A Preliminary Report.

Ruthenium chloride (RuCl) is widely utilized for synthesis and catalysis of numerous compounds in academia and industry and is utilized as a key molecule in a variety of compounds with medical applications. Interestingly, RuCl has been demonstrated to modulate human plasmatic coagulation and serves as a constituent of a compounded inorganic antivenom that neutralizes the coagulopathic effects of snake venom in vitro and in vivo. Using thrombelastography, this investigation sought to determine if RuCl inhibition of the fibrinogenolytic effects of venom could be modulated by vehicle composition in human plasma. Venom was exposed to RuCl in 0.9% NaCl, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or 0.9% NaCl containing 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). RuCl inhibited venom-mediated delay in the onset of thrombus formation, decreased clot growth velocity, and decreased clot strength. PBS and DMSO enhanced the effects of RuCl. It is concluded that while a Ru-based cation is responsible for significant inhibition of venom activity, a combination of Ru-based ions containing phosphate and DMSO enhances RuCl-mediated venom inhibition. Additional investigation is indicated to determine what specific Ru-containing molecules cause venom inhibition and what other combinations of inorganic/organic compounds may enhance the antivenom effects of RuCl.