Natural inhibitors occupy an important place in the potential to neutralize the toxic effects caused by
snake venom proteins and
enzymes. It has been well recognized for several years that animal sera, some of the plant and marine extracts are the most potent in neutralizing
snake venom phospholipase A(2) (svPLA(2)). The implication of this review to update the latest research work which has been accomplished with svPLA(2) inhibitors from various natural sources like animal, marine organisms presents a compilation of research in this field over the past decade and revisiting the previous research report including those found in plants. In addition to that the bioactive compounds/inhibitor molecules from diverse sources like aristolochic
alkaloid,
flavonoids and neoflavonoids from plants, hydrocarbones -2, 4 dimethyl
hexane, 2 methylnonane, and 2, 6 dimethyl
heptane obtained from traditional medicinal plants Tragia involucrata (Euphorbiaceae) member of natural products involved for the inhibitory potential of
phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))
enzymes in vitro and also decrease both oedema induced by
snake venom as well as human synovial fluid PLA(2). Besides marine natural products that inhibit PLA(2) are
manoalide and its derivatives such as
scalaradial and related compounds,
pseudopterosins and vidalols, tetracylne from synthetic chemicals etc. There is an overview of the role of PLA(2) in
inflammation that provides a rationale for seeking inhibitors of PLA(2) as
anti-inflammatory agents. However, more studies should be considered to evaluate
antivenom efficiency of sera and other agents against a variety of
snake venoms found in various parts of the world. The implications of these new groups of svPLA(2) toxin inhibitors in the context of our current understanding of snake biology as well as in the development of new novel
antivenoms therapeutics agents in the efficient treatment of
snake envenomations are discussed.