In vitro neutralization of the scorpion, Buthus tamulus venom toxicity

Scorpion (Buthus tamulus) venom was subjected to neutralization by treating the venom with various chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, thiourea, formaldehyde, zinc sulphate, acetic acid and trichloroacetic acid. The venom was also subjected to heat treatment. The levels of total p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology 1988-07, Vol.32 (3), p.187
Main Authors: Venkateswarlu, Y, Janakiram, B, Reddy, G R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acids - analysis
Animals
Hot Temperature
Hydrochloric Acid - pharmacology
In Vitro Techniques
Lethal Dose 50
Peptide Hydrolases - analysis
Protein Denaturation
Proteins - analysis
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Scorpion Venoms - analysis
Scorpion Venoms - antagonists & inhibitors
Scorpion Venoms - toxicity
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Summary:Scorpion (Buthus tamulus) venom was subjected to neutralization by treating the venom with various chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, thiourea, formaldehyde, zinc sulphate, acetic acid and trichloroacetic acid. The venom was also subjected to heat treatment. The levels of total protein, free amino acids and protease activity in neutralized venom decreased significantly. The decrease in venom protein and free amino acids was in proportion to the duration of the heat treatment and the concentration of chemicals used except zinc sulphate, sodium hydroxide and thiourea. Protease activity of neutralized venom samples also showed a decrease except with zinc sulphate which enhanced the enzyme activity. Intramuscular injection of formaldehyde, trichlcroacetic acid and heat treated venoms into albino rats produced low mortality while thiourea and zinc sulphate were not effective in reducing the mortality. Hydrochloric acid and acetic acid treated venoms reduced the mortality by 50% with a decrease in the symptoms of envenomation. The changes were attributed to the denaturing of venom protein by chemical and heat treatments.
ISSN:0019-5499