Abstract
The therapy of snakebite envenomation has been based on the parenteral administration of animal-derived antivenoms. Despite the success of this treatment at reducing the impact of snakebite mortality and morbidity, mostly due to their capacity to neutralize systemically- acting toxins, antivenoms are of relatively low efficacy in the prevention of venom-induced local tissue damage, which often leads to permanent disability. The issue of safety also remains a concern, particularly for some antivenoms which induce a relatively high incidence of adverse reactions. Consequently, there is a need to improve the therapy of snakebite envenomations on the following lines: (a) the technologies to produce antivenoms require improvements aimed at obtaining more refined preparations of higher efficacy and safety, while being affordable for the public health systems of developing countries. (b) The growing knowledge on the biochemistry and toxicology of snake venoms should pave the way for the identification of natural and synthetic inhibitors of venom toxins, particularly of those involved in local tissue pathology. Such inhibitors might become a highly effective therapeutic tool for the abrogation of venominduced local tissue damage. (c) A better knowledge of the inflammatory events secondary to venom actions may open the possibility of modulating such response, in order to prevent further tissue damage and to promote successful tissue repair and regeneration. A global partnership, involving many participants and combining scientific, technological and public health actions, is required to achieve a leap forward in the treatment of snakebite envenomations world-wide.
Keywords: Snake venom, antivenom, metalloproteinase inhibitors, phospholipase A2 inhibitors, necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Trends in Snakebite Envenomation Therapy: Scientific, Technological and Public Health Considerations
Volume: 13 Issue: 28
Author(s): Jose Maria Gutierrez, Bruno Lomonte, Guillermo Leon, Alexandra Rucavado, Fernando Chaves and Yamileth Angulo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Snake venom, antivenom, metalloproteinase inhibitors, phospholipase A2 inhibitors, necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation
Abstract: The therapy of snakebite envenomation has been based on the parenteral administration of animal-derived antivenoms. Despite the success of this treatment at reducing the impact of snakebite mortality and morbidity, mostly due to their capacity to neutralize systemically- acting toxins, antivenoms are of relatively low efficacy in the prevention of venom-induced local tissue damage, which often leads to permanent disability. The issue of safety also remains a concern, particularly for some antivenoms which induce a relatively high incidence of adverse reactions. Consequently, there is a need to improve the therapy of snakebite envenomations on the following lines: (a) the technologies to produce antivenoms require improvements aimed at obtaining more refined preparations of higher efficacy and safety, while being affordable for the public health systems of developing countries. (b) The growing knowledge on the biochemistry and toxicology of snake venoms should pave the way for the identification of natural and synthetic inhibitors of venom toxins, particularly of those involved in local tissue pathology. Such inhibitors might become a highly effective therapeutic tool for the abrogation of venominduced local tissue damage. (c) A better knowledge of the inflammatory events secondary to venom actions may open the possibility of modulating such response, in order to prevent further tissue damage and to promote successful tissue repair and regeneration. A global partnership, involving many participants and combining scientific, technological and public health actions, is required to achieve a leap forward in the treatment of snakebite envenomations world-wide.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gutierrez Maria Jose, Lomonte Bruno, Leon Guillermo, Rucavado Alexandra, Chaves Fernando and Angulo Yamileth, Trends in Snakebite Envenomation Therapy: Scientific, Technological and Public Health Considerations, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782023784
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782023784 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...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
-
Significance of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Containing Compounds in New Drug Development
Current Drug Research Reviews Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Review from a Clinically Oriented Perspective
Current Neuropharmacology Potential Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Pathogenesis of Vascular Dysfunction in Septic Shock
Current Vascular Pharmacology Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in the Treatment of Hypertension: Should they be Used Together?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Trends in the Development of New Drugs for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Review on Skin Targeted Delivery of Bioactives as Ultradeformable Vesicles: Overcoming the Penetration Problem
Current Drug Targets Prevention and Repair of Circulatory Shock and Cerebral Ischemia/Injury by Various Agents in Experimental Heatstroke
Current Medicinal Chemistry Rationalizing the Study of Plants for the Treatment of Oral Pain
Current Chemical Biology Downregulation of Membrane-bound Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Receptor has a Pivotal Role in COVID-19 Immunopathology
Current Drug Targets Renal Sympathetic Denervation and Renal Physiology
Current Clinical Pharmacology Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Respiratory Diseases - Pirfenidone, Penicillamine, Chloroquine and Chlorambucil
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Combined Treatment Fkt-Botulinum Toxin Type A (Btx-A) in Patients with Strumpell-Lorrain Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Endocannabinoids in Liver Disease and Hepatic Encephalopathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Trends on the Use of Nanoparticles for Nitric Oxide Delivery in Antimicrobial Applications
Drug Delivery Letters Pharmacologic Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cellular Mechanisms in Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
Current Pediatric Reviews Adenosine Receptor Ligands-Recent Developments Part I. Agonists
Current Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological, Immunological, and Gene Targeting of the Renin-Angiotensin System for Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine/Ketamine with Propofol/Fentanyl for Sedation in Colonoscopy Patients: A Doubleblinded Randomized Clinical Trial
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets