Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Abstract

Pathophysiological and Pharmacological Effects of Snake Venom Components: Molecular Targets

Laraba-Djebari Fatima and Chérifi Fatah

Snake venoms are a mixture of hydrolases which produce complex pathogenesis such as bleeding, dermo/myonecrosis, inflammation and coagulation disorders. The toxicity of venoms cannot be attributed to only one component. It is well known that venom components present antagonist activities, while some of them work synergistically. Binding to their intra- and extra-cellular or molecular targets, leads these components to generate severe disturbances which might concern several systems through complex mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms are still not yet elucidated. Thus, some of these components can act at different steps of blood coagulation by activating or inhibiting several molecular or cellular targets thereby inducing blood disorders. Despite their effects, it is well established that some of components from snake venoms present beneficial effects when acting alone as purified entity. Appropriate treatments of snakebite victims need a complete understanding of the pharmacological roles of the different venom components. Thus, this review emphasizes the toxicological relevance of snake venoms mainly those of Viperidae and their components as pharmacological bioactive tools.