Unraveling snake venom phospholipase A < sub > 2 < /sub > : an overview of its structure, pharmacology, and inhibitors

Pharmacol Rep. 2023 Nov 6. doi: 10.1007/s43440-023-00543-8. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSnake bite is a neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide. WHO reported approximately 5 million people are bitten by various species of snakes each year, resulting in nearly 1 million deaths and an additional three times cases of permanent disability. Snakes utilize the venom mainly for immobilization and digestion of their prey. Snake venom is a composition of proteins and enzymes which is responsible for its diverse pharmacological action. Snake venom phospholipase A2 (SvPLA2) is an enzyme that is present in every snake species in different quantities and is known to produce remarkable functional diversity and pharmacological action like inflammation, necrosis, myonecrosis, hemorrhage, etc. Arachidonic acid, a precursor to eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, is released when SvPLA2 catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 positions of membrane glycerophospholipids, which is responsible for its actions. Polyvalent antivenom produced from horses or lambs is the standard treatment for snake envenomation, although it has many drawbacks. Traditional medical practitioners treat snake bites using plants and other remedies as a sustainable alternative. More than 500 plant species from more than 100 families reported having venom-neutralizing abilities. Plant-derived secondary metabolites have the ability to reduce the venom's adverse consequences. Numerous studi...
Source: Pharmacological Reports - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research