A novel analgesic toxin (hannalgesin) from the venom of king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

Abstract

The pharmacological effects of a purified neurotoxin from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom were studied. Using the hot-plate test, it is shown that this neurotoxin increased latency time dose-dependently when administered i.p. Similar analgesic action was observed when it was administered p.o. or i.c.v. The rota-rod performance, which is a good index for neurological deficits including sedation, muscle relaxant and impairment of motor activity and coordination, was not significantly affected in the dose range of 16-32 ng/g that caused analgesia. The toxin did not increase the convulsion threshold in the dose range of 8-64 ng/g in the maximal electroshock seizure tests. These results demonstrated that this neurotoxin produced analgesia in the dose range of 16-32 ng/g (i.p.) without causing any neurological or muscular deficits. It is further shown that such analgesic action was blocked by naloxone and L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester, suggesting the possible involvement of the opioid and nitric oxide systems, respectively. In view of the source of this neurotoxin (O. hannah) and its potent analgesic action, it is proposed that this toxin be named hannalgesin.