Experimental study on lethality and toxicological effects of Naja haje, Naja nubiae and Cerastes cerastes crude venoms in rats

الملخص

Background: snake venoms are complex mixtures of enzymatic
and non-enzymatic components with specific pathophysiological
effects that differ widely between and within species
Objective: this study was designed to investigate the lethality and
toxicological effects of snake venoms of Naja haje, Naja nubiae
and Cerastes cerastes on experimental rats
Methods: lethality test was conducted in 3 groups of albino rats (5
each). Group 1: N.haje venom (0.2mg/kg, i.p.), group 2: N.nubiae
venom (0.4mg/kg, i.p.), group 3: C.cerastes venom (0.5mg/kg,
i.p.). Time of death for each group was recorded. LD50 of N.haje
snake venom was determined as it was found to be the most poisonous one among the three venoms. Behavioral and
neurological effects of the venom were tested into 3 groups of rats
(5 each). Group1: control (normal saline), group 2: N.haje venom
(0.18mg/kg, i.p), group 3 N.haje venom (0.5mg/kg, i.p). To study
fetotoxicity, pregnant rats were divided into 2 groups (5 each).
Group 1: control group and group 2: N.haje venom toxic dose:
0.18mg/kg, i.p. Both groups were observed for the continuity of
pregnancy and fetuses were examined for presence of any external
abnormalities.
Results: N.haje snake venom was the most poisonous one among
the three snake venoms as it has the lowest minimal lethal dose
(0.2mg/kg) and quick death time (46 min ± 3). Minimal lethal
doses and mean time of death of N.nubiae and C.cerastes were
0.4mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 90min±15, 180min±20 min, respectively.
LD50 of N.haje venom was 0.28mg/kg. Convulsions and paralysis
were most significant neurotoxic effects of N.haje venom. Toxic
dose of N.haje venom (0.18mg/kg) didn’t affect continuity of
pregnancy or induced external malformations on fetuses.
Conclusion: it could be concluded that, N.haje snake venom is
most poisonous compared to Naja nubiae andCerastes cerastes
venoms. Both toxic and lethal doses of N.haje snake venom
induced neurotoxicity, but it didn’t induce fetotoxicity.