Snakebite envenomation
Snakebite continues to be a serious health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. Envenomation can cause wide-ranging issues including haemorrhaging, muscle damage, blood coagulation problems and even death. A previous in vitro study explored the potential of high purity Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus fucoidans, produced by Marinova, to block the effects of venom from three different species of pit vipers from the Bothrops genus. The study showed that both fucoidan extracts inhibited toxic activities caused by all three snake species, thereby fuelling further research interest.
A second in vitro study has recently been published exploring the potential inhibitory effects of the same two fucoidan extracts against venom from the pit viper, Lachesis muta, commonly known as the South American Bushmaster. L. muta venom can result in severe local symptoms, including inflammation and necrosis, and can occasionally be life threatening. Unlike the venom of many snakes, the venom of this pit viper exhibits coagulatory activity - primarily due to the presence of thrombin-like enzymes. Thrombin is critical in the blood coagulation process.
The study evaluated the fucoidan extracts against the coagulant activity of the snake venom and two purified enzymes, including a purified thrombin-like enzyme. A key finding of the study was that both fucoidans fully prevented the coagulation of fibrinogen caused by L. muta venom and the thrombin-like enzyme. Both fucoidans also inhibited the plasma coagulation of L. muta venom.
The research team identified potential for the two fucoidan extracts to be further investigated as complementary or potential adjuvants for snakebite envenomation inflicted by L. muta venom. They noted, ‘This new approach of using specific fucoidans against L. muta venom and purified enzymes opens up possibilities to develop antivenoms against snakebite envenomation by vipers.’
The paper, ‘Fucoidans from the brown seaweeds Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus as inhibitors of coagulant and phospholipase A2 activities of pit viper Lachesis muta venom and purified enzymes’ was published in the Journal of Applied Phycology.