In order to obtain basic data on the effect of broad-spectrum
protease inhibitor against local symptoms of Viperidae
snake envenomation, inhibitory capacity of rat
murinoglobulin on local hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities of
venoms from Crotalus atrox, Bothrops jararaca, Lachesis muta muta, Trimeresurus flavoviridis and Echis carinatus sochureki were examined.
Murinoglobulin, pre-incubated with the crude
venoms at 37 degrees C for 15 min, inhibited hemorrhagic activity of all five
venoms to various extents. The activity of C. atrox was almost completely inhibited at the
murinoglobulin/
venom ratio (w/w) of 20. The activity of B. jararaca, Lachesis muta muta and T. flavoviridis
venoms was considerably inhibited at the ratio of 20 (77.2, 80.0 and 86.2% inhibition, respectively), however some of the activity still remained even at the ratio of 40 (84.2, 79.8 and 86.2% inhibition, respectively). Among the five
venoms, E. c. sochureki
venom is quite resistant to
murinoglobulin treatment and statistically significant inhibition was only found at the ratio of 40 (64.1% inhibition). Fibrinolytic and
gelatinase activities were more susceptible to
murinoglobulin inhibition. The treatment at the ratios of 10 and 20 almost completely inhibited respectively the fibrinolytic and the
gelatinase activities of all the
venoms.
Murinoglobulin treatment also significantly inhibited the edematogenic activity of L. muta muta, T. flavoviridis and Echis carinatus sochureki. The treatment of
murinoglobulin at the ratio of 40 considerably suppressed the swelling up to 60 min after
subcutaneous injection of L. muta muta and E. c. sochureki
venoms, and up to 30 min after T. flavoviridis
venom injection.
Murinoglobulin is a potent inhibitor against local effects of multiple
snake venoms in Viperidae family.