Venom's Edge: Balancing Peril and Promise in Snake Venom Biology
Yahyea Baktiar Laskar
*
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India and Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Natural Product and Biomedicine Research Laboratory, Silchar, India.
Soumitra Dey
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Debadutta Choudhury
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Ritu Yadav
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Tanvi Nath
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Shatabdi Banik
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Maharshika Das
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Supratim Barbhuiya
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Bishwadeepa Nath
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Tasnim Sultana Barbhuiya
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Hafiza Kawsar Laskar
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
Rajashree Chakraborty
Department of Zoology, Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, Silchar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
According to the WHO, an estimated 5.4 million individuals are bitten by snakes annually, leading to an estimated 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of envenomations. Snake venom comprises a sophisticated blend of proteins, peptides, enzymes, and bioactive molecules, showcasing a complex structural organization and diversity. Based on their composition and mode of action, snake venoms are classified as neurotoxic, haematotoxic, cytotoxic, and myotoxic. The diversity of venoms across snake species is a result of evolutionary adaptations, leading to a wide range of toxic effects on prey and predators. In addition to their toxic properties, snake venom-derived compounds show medicinal activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anticoagulant activities. This review explores the multifaceted nature of snake venoms, highlighting their diverse composition, the intricate modes of action of their components, and potential therapeutic applications of the venoms.
Keywords: Snake venom, toxin, protein, medicine, drug discovery