Differential Hematotoxic Activity of Southeast Asian Pit Viper Venoms: The Cross-Neutralizing Effect of Available Antivenoms

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  Image Credit: Creative Commons (some rights reserved) CC BY-NC Photo 111998430, (c) Nicholas Hess Differential Hematotoxic Activity of Southeast Asian Pit Viper Venoms: The Cross-Neutralizing Effect of Available Antivenoms Abstract Background/Objectives : Pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae) are responsible for a large proportion of snakebite envenoming cases in Southeast Asia. Envenomation by these snakes commonly causes hematotoxic effects, including platelet dysfunction and coagulation disturbances. Although antivenom remains the mainstay of treatment, species-specific antivenoms are not available for several regional pit viper species. This study evaluated the hematotoxic activities of selected Southeast Asian pit viper venoms and the cross-neutralizing capacity of commercially available antivenoms.  Methods : Venoms from five medically important pit viper species— Calloselasma rhodostoma ,  Trimeresurus albolabris ,  T. hageni ,  T. purpureomaculatus , ...

Indian lone commercial antivenom against Indian red scorpion venom demonstrates limited immunorecognition and partial neutralisation of enzymatic, pharmacological, and some toxic effects of Heterometrus bengalensis (Indian black scorpion) venom proteins in vitro and in vivo

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Indian lone commercial antivenom against Indian red scorpion venom demonstrates limited immunorecognition and partial neutralisation of enzymatic, pharmacological, and some toxic effects of Heterometrus bengalensis (Indian black scorpion) venom proteins in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation remains a significant yet under-addressed public health issue in India. Heterometrus bengalensis (HB), a medically important scorpion, can induce clinically relevant local and systemic toxicity. However, limited research has evaluated the immunological recognition and neutralisation efficacy of existing commercial anti-scorpion antivenoms (ASV) against HB venom (HBV). This study evaluated the immunological cross-reactivity and neutralisation potential of a commercial ASV against HBV using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Immunochemical assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting) demonstrated partial immunoreactivity toward HBV proteins in the range of ~75–37 kDa, but exhibited poor recognition of low-molecular-mass proteins (<20 kDa). ASV showed feeble neutralisation of HBV enzymatic activities, HBV toxicity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Caenorhabditis elegans. ASV also showed poor protective efficacy against HBV-induced local and systemic toxicity in Swiss albino mice. ASV also failed to attenuate the HBV-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in mice. Therefore, this study highlights insufficient immunological coverage and underscores the need for species-specific antivenoms. The findings provide crucial insights for enhancing therapeutic interventions for scorpion envenomation in India.
Nath, S., & Mukherjee, A. K. (2026). Indian lone commercial antivenom against Indian red scorpion venom demonstrates limited immunorecognition and partial neutralisation of enzymatic, pharmacological, and some toxic effects of Heterometrus bengalensis (Indian black scorpion) venom proteins in vitro and in vivo. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 151679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151679