JIST

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the enzymatic activities and the characteristic toxicity of the two venomous Indian snake species Daboia russelii and Bungarus caeruleus. The activity of the enzymes protease, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, L-amino acid oxidase, hyaluronidase, 5'-nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase and phospholipase A2 were determined in venom of Daboia russelii (viper) of family Viperidae and Bungarus caeruleus (Krait) of family Elapidae. The venom of both snakes were characterized by low levels of protease, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, 5-nucleotidase enzyme activity. The enzyme phospholipase activity was higher in viper compared to krait, whereas the L-amino oxidase, acetylcholinesterase and hyaluronidase activities were higher in krait than in the viper venom and were statistically significant. The venom of both the snakes was toxic, but the higher amount of acetylcholinesterase, that disturbs the neurotransmission and hyaluronidase, which helps in spreading of toxin present in krait might suggest its venom being more toxic than viper.