CNS and anticonvulsant activity of a non-protein toxin (KC-MMTx) isolated from King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom.
In the present study, King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom was subjected to TLC followed by column chromatography/HPLC to isolate and purify a non-protein toxin designated as KC-MMTx. (1)H NMR, IR and EIMS studies showed KC-MMTx likely to be a 282 D unsaturated aliphatic acid having molecular formula C18H34O2. The minimum lethal dose of KC-MMTx was 200 microg/kg (i.v.) and 350 microg/kg (i.p.) in Swiss albino male mice. It significantly increased pentobarbitone induced sleeping time and significantly decreased the body temperature of male albino mice. It provided protection against amphetamine aggregate toxicity in mice but failed to protect amphetamine stereotypy in male albino rats. KC-MMTx provided significant protection against drug (strychnine, pentylenetetrazole, yohimbine) induced convulsions in male albino mice. It increased serum Na+ and decreased serum Ca2+ significantly in male mice. MAO activity and brain neurotransmitter levels in male mice were altered significantly. Further detailed study is warranted on the CNS, anticonvulsant potential of KC-MMTx, which may lead to the development of newer therapeutic tools in the near future.
Saha
A
A
Laboratory of Toxinology and Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A. P. C. Road, Kolkata 700 009, India.
Gomes
A
A
Chakravarty
A K
AK
Biswas
A K
AK
Giri
B
B
Dasgupta
S C
SC
Gomes
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017815:Elapidae; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004546:Elapid Venoms; C510346:KC-MMTx toxin, king cobra