Snake Venom and Antivenom Pharmacology

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  SNAKE VENOM & ANTIVENOM Chemistry, Composition, Mechanisms and Pharmacology Abstract This integrated teaching session for Phase III MBBS students focused on the pharmacology and toxicology of snake venom and the principles of antivenom therapy. The lecture covered the chemistry, composition, mechanisms of action, and pharmacological effects of snake venoms and antivenoms. Rational use of antivenoms, indications, administration protocols, adverse reactions, and supportive management strategies were discussed. The session also highlighted the translational importance of venom-derived compounds in modern drug development. Recent advances in antivenom research, including recombinant human monoclonal antibodies, toxin-specific inhibitors, synthetic antibody technologies, and next-generation broad-spectrum antivenoms, were reviewed. Current discoveries and emerging approaches aimed at improving efficacy, safety, affordability, and accessibility of antivenom therapy were also explor...

Viperid Venom Immunization Using Chitosan Nanoparticles as Immunoadjuvant

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Viperid Venom Immunization Using Chitosan Nanoparticles as Immunoadjuvant

Abstract

Purpose

Viperid venoms are difficult to neutralize; up to 19 antivenom vials may be used for severe snake envenomation, so new adjuvants may improve the efficacy of antivenoms. This work aims to utilize chitosan nanoparticles as an immunoadjuvant for the development of neutralizing antibodies against four viperid venoms from the species Lachesis acrochorda (La), Bothrops asper (Bas), Bothrops ayerbei (Bay), and Bothrops rhombeatus (Br), which are of medical importance in Colombia.

Methods

Chitosan nanoparticles were loaded with four viper venoms and encapsulated via ionic gelation for use as an immunoadjuvant. Chromatography, electron microscopy, polydispersity index, and infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the encapsulation of the venoms.

Results

Rabbit immunizations were conducted using chitosan encapsulated venoms, and they were found qualitatively to be less harmful than the adjuvant control (incomplete Freund’s and aluminum hydroxide as adjuvants).

Conclusions

Although rabbit antibodies obtained with chitosan-venom nanoparticles showed no significant differences in antibody titers (AT50s) compared to the immunization control, they showed slightly better neutralization than the control group. Encapsulating chitosan nanoparticles with viperid venom could be a useful approach and an alternative immunoadjuvant for enhancing neutralizing antibodies.

Ángel-Camilo, K.L., Guerrero-Vargas, J.A., García-Barrera, K.L. et al. Viperid Venom Immunization Using Chitosan Nanoparticles as Immunoadjuvant. Int J Pept Res Ther 32, 69 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-026-10843-1