Viper venom-induced oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory cytokines: a therapeutic approach for overlooked issues of snakebite management

Abstract

Background and objective: The snakebite mortality rate has been significantly reduced due to effective anti-venin therapy. The intravenously infused anti-venom will neutralize free and target-bound toxins but fails to neutralize venom-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, as the antigen-antibody complex itself is pro-inflammatory. Therefore, an auxiliary therapy is necessary to treat secondary/overlooked envenomation complications.

Materials and methods: Blood samples from healthy donors were treated with viper venom (100 μg/ml) for 2 h. The venom-induced inflammation, oxidative damage and effect of crocin pre-treatment were determined by assessing the serum levels of cytoplasmic, lysosomal and oxidative stress markers along with pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2.

Results: Significantly increased stress markers, cytoplasmic, lysosomal and extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes as well as the pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2 indicated increased cellular damage but significantly reduced oxidative damage and inflammation in crocin pre-treated groups.

Conclusion: The data clearly suggest that venom-induced oxidative stress and inflammation is also responsible for oxidative burst and cell death in the circulation, which may worsen even after anti-venin therapy. Hence, the current study demands a supportive therapy in addition to anti-venin therapy to neutralize the overlooked issues of snakebite.