Therapeutic potential of krait venom.
Kraits belong to Elapideae and are widely distributed in East and South-East Asian countries. Krait venom possesses neurotoxins, membrane toxins, cardiotoxins, three finger toxins, metalloproteinases, cholinesterases, L-amino acid oxidases and serine proteases. The therapeutic potential of krait venom in pathophysiological conditions such as microbial and parasitic infections, cancer, arthritis, inflammation and blood coagulation disorder is discussed in this review. More intensive new research ventures are required to establish the therapeutic potential of krait venom in complex and emerging diseases.
Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India. Electronic address: agomescu@gmail.com.
Antony
A
Gomes
Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India.
Partha Pratim
PP
Saha
Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India.
Shamik
S
Bhattacharya
Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India.
Sourav
S
Ghosh
Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India.
Aparna
A
Gomes
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017838:Bungarus; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004546:Elapid Venoms
Alternative therapy; Bungarus sp.; Krait; Krait venom; Therapeutic potential