Toxinology of Snake Venoms: The Malaysian Context

Abstract

Venomous snakes have in common the ability to inject or inoculate, using modified teeth called fangs, venom secreted by oral glands. Snake venoms contain complex mixtures of hundreds of different pharmacologically active molecules, including low-molecular mass compounds (e.g., histamine and alkaloids), small peptides, and proteins. Snake venoms are usually classified as hemotoxic or neurotoxic. Snakes of the Viperidae (vipers and rattlesnakes) family have venoms containing proteins that can disrupt the coagulation cascade, the hemostatic system, and tissue integrity. In contrast, neurotoxic venoms, which are typical of the Elapidae snakes (mambas, cobras, and corals), contain a number of toxins that primarily affect the peripheral nervous system, in particular the neuromuscular junction.