ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108177
Tharwat El Zahran , Zeina Halabi , Alondra Barakat , Rony Imad El Hachem , Charbel Bou Nicolas , Sally Al Hassan , Aline Khalil
{"title":"An overview of the poisonous plants of Lebanon and their effects","authors":"Tharwat El Zahran , Zeina Halabi , Alondra Barakat , Rony Imad El Hachem , Charbel Bou Nicolas , Sally Al Hassan , Aline Khalil","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poisonous plants are naturally found in the environment and are easily reachable especially by children. These plants pose significant risks ranging from mild or asymptomatic to severe and even life-threatening. Data on poisonous plants of Lebanon is scarce and scattered; therefore, there remains a significant gap in the literature concerning poisonous plants in Lebanon. This study relied on a thorough review of existing literature on poisonous plants of Lebanon and their effects. Based on our experience in the field and on leveraging available data from the literature, a list of important potentially toxic plants in Lebanon was compiled. Toxic plants in Lebanon were categorized based on their chemical properties into groups such as alkaloids; glycosides; proteins, peptides, and lectins; phenols and phenylpropanoids; terpenes and resins; carboxylic acids; and other (uncategorized). The clinical effects of these plants were discussed in detail to provide an overview of the toxicity that they can cause. This study is part of our ongoing work on poisonous plants of Lebanon. It aims to fill a gap pertaining to poisonous plant; it will benefit healthcare workers and the public at the same time. Prompt recognition of plant exposure and their manifestations will allow for better clinical management especially among emergency healthcare workers and professionals. In addition, this review will increase awareness of Lebanese public about the poisonous plants of Lebanon with the ultimate aim to prevent these toxic occurrences from the beginning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108177"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142640001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of Naja kaouthia snake venom composition and in-vitro enzymatic activities of 29 specimens in captivity: Highlighting the importance of individual variation in venom pool production","authors":"Beatriz Kopel , Caroline Serino-Silva, Rebeca Barcelos Jantsch , Igor Castellar Sorila, Sávio S. Sant’Anna, Kathleen Fernandes Grego, Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Naja kaouthia</em> is a medically important snake, widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia, with a diverse venom composition. <em>N. kaouthia</em> venom is subject to significant intraspecific variation, caused by several factors, such as the wide geographic distribution of the species, sexual and ontogenetic factors. However, individual variation is a factor that has only been studied with small sample size groups and/or with pooled samples. With this in mind, this study evaluates the composition and in-vitro enzymatic activities of 29 individual venom samples from specimens born in captivity, with a similar genetic background caused by inbreeding, using SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, RP-HPLC profiles and enzymatic activities of PLA<sub>2</sub>, LAAO and proteolytic activity over azocasein. Even in this scenario, we were able to observe significant variations in abundance and activity of PLA<sub>2</sub>. Individual variations in LAAO activity, as well as a sexual dimorphism in which males present a significantly higher LAAO activity than females were observed. Phosphodiasterase and CRiSP abundance were also found and considered to have multiple effects in the clinical manifestations of envenomation by presenting synergistic effects with other proteins from <em>N. kaouthia</em> venom. The RP-HPLC profiles were better at detecting compositional differences than SDS-PAGE profiles and better correlated with enzymatic activities, being a better technique to screen variation profiles and reinforcing the importance of individual venom analysis prior to pooling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142628973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108178
Abhinandan Chowdhury , Bryan G. Fry , Stephen P. Samuel , Ashish Bhalla , Sakthivel Vaiyapuri , Parul Bhargava , Rebecca W. Carter , Matthew R. Lewin
{"title":"In vitro anticoagulant effects of Bungarus venoms on human plasma which are effectively neutralized by the PLA2-inhibitor varespladib","authors":"Abhinandan Chowdhury , Bryan G. Fry , Stephen P. Samuel , Ashish Bhalla , Sakthivel Vaiyapuri , Parul Bhargava , Rebecca W. Carter , Matthew R. Lewin","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bungarus (krait) envenomings are well-known for their life-threatening neurotoxic effects. However, their impact on coagulation remains largely unexplored experimentally or clinically. This study, examined the effect of begins to examine venoms from four <em>Bungarus</em> species—<em>B. caeruleus, B. candidus, B. fasciatus,</em> and <em>B. flaviceps</em> on human platelet poor plasma coagulation parameters using thromboelastography and coagulation inhibition assays. <em>B. flaviceps</em> completely inhibited clotting, while <em>B. caeruleus</em> only delayed clot formation. In contrast, <em>B. candidus</em> and <em>B. fasciatus</em> did not affect clotting. Subsequent examinations into the anticoagulant biochemical mechanisms demonstrated divergent pathophysiological pathways. <em>B. caeruleus</em> venom anticoagulant effects were prevented by the addition of an excess of phospholipids, with anticoagulation thereby the result of phospholipid depletion. In contrast <em>B. flaviceps</em> anticoagulation was not affected by the addition of an excess of phospholipids. Further investigations demonstrated that <em>B. flaviceps</em> mediates its anticoagulant toxicity through the inactivation of coagulation enzymes. The anticoagulant effects of both <em>B. flaviceps</em> and <em>B. caeruleus</em> were nullified by varespladib, a phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) inhibitor, revealing the toxin class involved. These results uncover previously unrecognized and unexplored anticoagulant effects of <em>Bungarus</em> venoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108178"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142640004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108172
Xuan-Zhu Guo , Ya-Nan Niu , Xuan Zhou , Qiao Wei , Meng Li , Jia-Ning Xia , Yu-Qi Cui , Chao-Xin Chai , Yi-Ming Wang , Li-Ping Chen
{"title":"Application of botulinum toxin A in tissue repair and regeneration","authors":"Xuan-Zhu Guo , Ya-Nan Niu , Xuan Zhou , Qiao Wei , Meng Li , Jia-Ning Xia , Yu-Qi Cui , Chao-Xin Chai , Yi-Ming Wang , Li-Ping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tissue repair and regeneration present significant clinical challenges. Despite the array of treatments currently available in this domain, the urgent demand for innovative therapies persists, with the goal of enhancing patient quality of life. Recently, the application of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) has expanded within the realm of tissue repair and regeneration. This review critically examines the utilization of BoNT/A, specifically focusing on its vascular effects, potential in nerve regeneration, and contributions to bone healing. This analysis not only offers fresh insights into the diverse mechanisms of action of BoNT/A but also explores additional therapeutic possibilities for patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108172"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142628974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-12DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108130
Ebru Tanrıverdi o, Dinçer Ayaz, Yiğit Terzi
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Comparative analysis of protein profiles in skin secretions of some Rana species: Preliminary insights into antimicrobial activity” [Toxicon, 250 (2024) 108110]","authors":"Ebru Tanrıverdi o, Dinçer Ayaz, Yiğit Terzi","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108130","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108130"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142627309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Study repair function of mucin-2 on the tight junction protein of uterine epithelial cells under bacterial endotoxins","authors":"Dujian Yan , Mengru Zhou , Tian Tian , Chenchen Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108162","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108162","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To analysis repair function of mucin-2(MUC2) and glycoprotein particles on the tight junction protein of uterus under bacterial endotoxins. In this experiment, we showed that the thicker mucus layer of the uterus is used to prevent the translocation of endotoxin at 21d postdelivery. When endotoxin acts on the uterus to thin its mucous layer, the cells in the lamina propria of the uterus secrete a large number of glycoprotein particles at 27d postdelivery. Due to a significantly decrease in the expression of glycosyltransferase, the glycoprotein particles are incompletely glycosylation MUC2, which can interact with the cell membrane and are released in large quantities in the form of exocytosis. These glycoprotein particles can significantly repair tight junction proteins in the inter-cellular space and significantly increase the expression of Claudin-1, JAM (Junction adhesion molecule-A), E-cadherin, ZO-1(Zonula occludens-1) and desmosome proteins after endotoxin treatment. The results of the present study show that endotoxins can thin the uterine mucus layer and accelerate the release of incompletely glycosylated MUC2 from lamina propria cells. In inter-cellular spaces, MUC2 can increase its expression levels and distribution area to repair the tight junction structure of cells with larger gaps. Further strengthening of the barrier prevents endotoxin translocation by repairing the tight junction structure of uterine epithelial cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108162"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142626823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108165
Zacharias J. Smith , Gregory L. Boyer
{"title":"Unusual paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in Cayuga Lake, New York","authors":"Zacharias J. Smith , Gregory L. Boyer","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108165","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cyanobacteria blooms were detected in 2017 and 2018 in Cayuga Lake, New York, with paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSPTs) the primary toxin detected. Analysis of these samples by HPLC with chemical oxidation, receptor binding assay, ELISA, and LC-MS/MS confirmed the presence of PSPTs but each method gave highly unusual results based on the theory establishing each method. The structures of the toxins could not be identified and may be ‘unusual’ or unelucidated PSPTs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142627306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108164
Bayram Alparslan , Murat Şentürk , Cengiz Erkan
{"title":"Bee venom and melittin: Potent key enzyme inhibitors with promising therapeutic potential","authors":"Bayram Alparslan , Murat Şentürk , Cengiz Erkan","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bee venom (BV) is a versatile product with extensive applications, boasting antibacterial and anticancer properties. Within this study, we focused on isolating melittin (Mel) from <em>Apis mellifera</em> L. venom and exploring the influence of both BV and Mel on specific enzymes, namely carbonic anhydrase (CA) I, CA II, CA IX, glutathione reductase (GR), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and neuraminidase (NA). The rationale for selecting these enzymes is that their inhibitors have a particular interest in medicinal chemistry in the treatment of several diseases. BV was obtained using a poison collection apparatus, and Mel was isolated by means of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). All enzymes, except for CA I and CA II, were commercially sourced and of high purity, and the enzyme assays were carried out spectrophotometrically.</div><div>Our findings showed that BV inhibited the enzymes with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 0.583–3.32 ng/mL, and Mel showed an inhibition range of 0.528–3.2 ng/mL. These results underscore the potential therapeutic promise of BV and Mel as robust enzyme inhibitors, offering prospects for addressing diverse health conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108164"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142606281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2024-11-02DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108161
Subramanian Senthilkumaran , Jarred Williams , José R. Almeida , Harry F. Williams , Ketan Patel , Ponniah Thirumalaikolundusubramanian , Sakthivel Vaiyapuri
{"title":"Snakebite-induced reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: Report of three cases","authors":"Subramanian Senthilkumaran , Jarred Williams , José R. Almeida , Harry F. Williams , Ketan Patel , Ponniah Thirumalaikolundusubramanian , Sakthivel Vaiyapuri","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Envenomings from Russell's viper typically result in local tissue damage and bleeding complications, but the bites from common krait and cobra primarily cause neurotoxic effects. While most symptoms can be treated with appropriate antivenom, additional support is necessary for several snakebite victims to tackle a broad range of unusual complications that they develop following bites. Reversible vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), characterised by the constriction of cerebral arteries, is a rare but serious issue, presenting with severe headaches and, in extreme cases, haemorrhagic/ischaemic stroke. This report presents three cases of RCVS in snakebite victims following Russell's viper, krait and cobra bites. The patients were admitted to the hospital with neurological and/or haematological complications, and they were treated with polyvalent antivenom. After two days of antivenom treatment, all the patients developed intense headaches that lasted for several hours and failed to respond to commonly used analgesics. While the physical, laboratory and computed tomography examinations were normal, the RCVS was diagnosed with multimodal magnetic resonance angiography. All patients were successfully treated with oral nimodipine, and during their follow-ups, physical and laboratory examinations were unremarkable, and the magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the reversal of RCVS. To achieve positive outcomes in patients, clinicians must swiftly identify such rare complications and make accurate diagnoses to provide prompt treatments. Overall, this report presents an unusual complication of RCVS in snakebite patients and appropriate diagnosis and treatment approaches to tackle this condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 108161"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142569289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}