Snake venom as an antibacterial agent

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 The Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA), Cairo, Egypt

2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University

Abstract

Snake venom is composed of different proteins and enzymes which have been shown to exert beneficial effects in the treatment of certain diseases due to its various biological activities. The present study highlighted the antibacterial effect of Najanigricollis and Cerastes cerastes venom. Only 2 snake venoms ware collected (Najanigricollis and Cerastescerastes) and examined against 3 typed of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium and  E.coli) to show the effect of each venom against them. SDS-PAGE profile ware proceded to realize the difference between both venoms. Cerastes cerates venom showed variable zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 16 to 33mm with concentration ranged from 40 μg to 0.3μg and from 9 to 23mm among  Salmonella Typhimuriumand11-17mm among E.coli with concentration ranged from 40μg to 0.3μg. Najanigricollis venom showed the best effect on Staphylococcus aureus while no effect on Gram-negative bacteria with the same concentrations. The SDS-PAGE profile analysis of the venoms showed great differences in protein contents.

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