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Review
. 2022 Dec 16:55:e0323-2022.
doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0323-2022. eCollection 2022.

Antineoplastic properties and pharmacological applications of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom

Brunna Fernanda Arraez Alves  1 , Rui Seabra Ferreira Jr  2
Affiliations
Review

Antineoplastic properties and pharmacological applications of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom

Brunna Fernanda Arraez Alves et al. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. .

Abstract

Snake toxins are widely studied owing to their importance in snakebite accidents, a serious public health issue in tropical countries, and their broad therapeutic potential. Isolated fractions from venom produced by snakes of the genus Crotalus sp. present a wide variety of pharmacological uses such as antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumor properties, among other therapeutic potentialities. Given the direct effect of this venom on tumor cells, isolation of its compounds is important for the characterization of its anticarcinogenic actions. Crotalus durissus terrificus venom and its toxins have been widely evaluated as potential candidates for the development of new antineoplastic therapies that are efficient against different tumor lines and cellular targets. This review highlights the venom toxins of this species, with a focus on their antineoplastic properties.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.

Figures

FIGURE 1:
FIGURE 1:. (A) Crotalus durissus terrificus; (B) Rattle detail; (C) Loreal Pit (yellow circle).
FIGURE 2:
FIGURE 2:. Main antineoplastic actions of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom associated with Crotoxin.
FIGURE 3:
FIGURE 3:. Main antineoplastic actions of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom associated with Crotamin.
FIGURE 4:
FIGURE 4:. Main antineoplastic actions of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom associated with other venom compounds.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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