Venom apparatus and Constituents of snake

venom and it's effects/ action

Group E
101-125
 Venom apparatus:
• The venom apparatus of poisonous snakes consists primarily of two components:
a modified tooth, the fang by which venom is delivered into prey, and the venom
gland (or glands) where toxin is produced and stored.
• Venomous snakes use the venom apparatus to rapidly kill prey and secondarily in
defense from their own enemies. It is consisting of:
1. Glands: Lies just below and behind the eyes, one on each side of the head,
above the upper jaw. Its ducts arise from the gland to carry the poisonous venom
from gland to the fangs.
2. Fangs: Two in number. These are curved teeth situated on the maxillary bones
and lie along the jaws. They are like hollow hypodermic needles (solid in non-
poisonous snakes).
 Snake venom:
• Venom is the saliva of snake, ejected from the poison apparatus
(modified parotid gland) during the act of biting. It can be neurotoxic,
vasculotoxic or myotoxic in its action.
• It is the clean, amber colour, modified saliva of snake.
• On drying, forms the needle like crystals which are soluble in water.
• Cobra venom is predominantly neurotoxic in nature & toxic to
respiratory centre & cardiac centre.
• Viper venom is hemolytic, hemotoxic & vasculotoxic.
 Snake venom constituents:
(1) Proteolytic enzymes liberate histamine from damaged endothelium leading to
dissolution of blood vessel walls with extravasation of blood. They cause digestion of
tissue proteins and peptides and produce marked tissue changes, oedema, blistering,
bruising and necrosis. They may contribute to hypersensitive action.
(2) Fibrin ferments enhance coagulation process.
(3) Neurotoxins are found in elapid, hydrophid, vipirid and cortalid venoms. They are
neuromuscular non-depolarizing blocking agents, which produce a curare-like effect
and paralysis, especially of respiratory centre.
(4) Cholinesterase is rich in venom of cobra and krait. It causes hydrolysis of
acetylcholine to choline and acetic acid leading to impairment of neuromuscular
transmission
(5) Haemolysins (mainly in viper venom) cause disruption of endothelial cell function
and alveolar septa and cause pulmonary congestion and increased lung weight. These
effects also occur locally at the site of bite, causing haemorrhagic oedema and
systemic bleeding leading to shock.
 Snake venom constituents: (Continued)
6) Cardiotoxin found particularly in cobra venom is toxic to the heart. It also affects
skeletal and smooth muscle membranes and neuromuscular junction.
(7) Cytolysins (mainly viper venom) cause lysis of cell structures of blood and
tissues.
(8) Agglutinins cause agglutination of red cells.
(9) Lecithinases act on the lipid layers of endothelial cell linings, producing lysolecithin
and helping in increase of fragility and permeability for leakage of cells.
(10) Phospholipase A,B,C,D act as catalysts in hydrolysis of lipids. It destroys
phospholipids in nervous tissues and alters neuromuscular conduction. It also helps in
penetration of neurotoxin into nervous tissue.
(11) Phosphotidases cause haemolysis and most of the effects on the heart and
circulation.
(12) Proteinases have trypsin-like action, causing tissue damage. They catalyse the
conversion of prothrombin to thrombin producing coagulant effect.
 Snake venom constituents: (Continued)
(13) Hyaluronidase helps in rapid spreading of the venom. It is present in all venoms.
(14) Ribonuclease & deoxyribonuclease present in all venoms help in rapid spread
of venom.
(15) Ophioxidase helps in autolysis.
(16) Protease causes dissolution of vascular wall.
(17) Biological amines such as histamine and 5-hydroxy-tryptamine may contribute to
local pain and permeability changes at the site of bite.
(18) Enzymes include phospholipidase A, proteases, hyaluronidase, cholinesterase,
hydrolases, ATPase, transaminase, phospholipase, ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease,
etc. They cause increase in cell wall permeability, with haemolysis, disruption and
alteration of connective tissue, muscle and subcataneous tissue damage leading to
necrosis, and promotion of i.v. clotting and fibrinolysis resulting in a defibrinated
syndrome.
(19) Peptides and polypeptides (lethal compounds) cause systemic effects.
 Action and its effect

Mode of Action: Venom contains

hemolysins and thromboplastin
which vasculotoxic & haematotoxic.

Symptoms & Signs:

Local effects: swelling, pain, tenderness, bleeding from bite site, blisters and
necrosis of skin and compartment syndrome,
Systemic effects: haematuria, epistaxis, haematemesis, malaena,
haemoptysis, ecchymosis, intracranial and subconjunctival haemorrhages
causing cold clammy skin, rapid feeble pulse, dilated pupils, unconsciousness,
convulsions and death due to circulatory collapse.