Snake Venom PLA2, a Promising Target for Broad-Spectrum Antivenom Drug Development

Biomed Res Int. 2017:2017:6592820. doi: 10.1155/2017/6592820. Epub 2017 Nov 29.

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation is a neglected global health problem, causing substantial mortality, disability, and psychological morbidity, especially in rural tropical and subtropical zones. Antivenin is currently the only specific medicine for envenomation. However, it is restricted by cold storage, snakebite diagnosis, and high price. Snake venom phospholipase A2s (svPLA2s) are found in all kinds of venomous snake families (e.g., Viperidae, Elapidae, and Colubridae). Along with their catalytic activity, svPLA2s elicit a wide variety of pharmacological effects that play a pivotal role in envenomation damage. Hence, neutralization of the svPLA2s could weaken or inhibit toxic damage. Here we overviewed the latest knowledge on the distribution, pathophysiological effects, and inhibitors of svPLA2s to elucidate the potential for a novel, wide spectrum antivenom drug targeting svPLA2s.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antivenins* / immunology
  • Antivenins* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Phospholipases A2 / immunology*
  • Snake Venoms / immunology*

Substances

  • Antivenins
  • Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors
  • Snake Venoms
  • Phospholipases A2