Antiviral activity of animal venom peptides and related compounds

Viruses exhibit rapid mutational capacity to trick and infect host cells, sometimes assisted through virus-coded peptides that counteract host cellular immune defense. Although a large number of compounds have been identified as inhibiting various viral infections and disease progression, it is urgent to achieve the discovery of more effective agents. Furthermore, proportionally to the great variety of diseases caused by viruses, very few viral vaccines are available, and not all are efficient. Thus, new antiviral substances obtained from natural products have been prospected, including those derived from venomous animals. Venoms are complex mixtures of hundreds of molecules, mostly peptides, that present a large array of biological activities and evolved to putatively target the biochemical machinery of different pathogens or host cellular structures. In addition, non-venomous compounds, such as some body fluids of invertebrate organisms, exhibit antiviral activity. This review provides a panorama of peptides described from animal venoms that present antiviral activity, thereby reinforcing them as important tools for the development of new therapeutic drugs.(AU)

Antiviral activity of animal venom peptides and related compounds

Abstract Viruses exhibit rapid mutational capacity to trick and infect host cells, sometimes assisted through virus-coded peptides that counteract host cellular immune defense. Although a large number of compounds have been identified as inhibiting various viral infections and disease progression, it is urgent to achieve the discovery of more effective agents. Furthermore, proportionally to the great variety of diseases caused by viruses, very few viral vaccines are available, and not all are efficient. Thus, new antiviral substances obtained from natural products have been prospected, including those derived from venomous animals. Venoms are complex mixtures of hundreds of molecules, mostly peptides, that present a large array of biological activities and evolved to putatively target the biochemical machinery of different pathogens or host cellular structures. In addition, non-venomous compounds, such as some body fluids of invertebrate organisms, exhibit antiviral activity. This review provides a panorama of peptides described from animal venoms that present antiviral activity, thereby reinforcing them as important tools for the development of new therapeutic drugs.

Oriental Catfish (Plotosus lineatus) Spine Envenomation: A case report

Although encounters with poisonous marine organisms occur predominantly in warm temperatures and tropical seas, dangerous marine animals are found as far north as 50degrees latitude. There are some 1000 catfish species inhabiting both fresh and salt waters; many of these fishes are capable of inflicting serious stings. The oriental catfish (Plotosus lineatus) possesses one of the most potent known marine toxins, and it is potentially lethal. We report a case of moderate envenomation by an oriental catfish. A 42-year-old male was stung by an oriental catfish. A puncture wound was noted on his left swollen thumb. He complained of severe pain in the hand and forearm, especially in the punctured finger. Initial management included hotwater immersion, tetanus prophylaxis, antibiotics, analgesics and digital nerve block. He was discharged after observation in the emergency department.

Screening of cytotoxic activity of marine animal symbiotic and epiphyte microorganisms against B16 tumor cell / 中国海洋药物

Objective To isolate marine microorganisms against murine melanoma cells B16.Methods Using Gause,M1,and Martin media for isolation.Isolates were fermented in the soy flour medium,the fermentation supernatant were tested against murine melanoma cells B16 by observing the growth inhibition or killing of the tumour cells under microscope.The results were statistically analyzed by SAS.Results Six hundred and thirty four strains of marine microorganisms were isolated from 101 marine animal samples,of which 56 active strains against murine melanoma cells B16 were screened out,the percentage of cytotoxic active strains was 8.83%.Conclusion The number of cytotoxic active strains was higher from Actina,Mytilus edulis,Meretrix meretrix,Atrina,Ascidiacea,Tube Worm,and crabs.There was significant relation between different microorganism types isolated to the sampling locations.Hainan Lingshui New Village fishing row had the highest percentage of the actinomycetes,GuangXi Beihai Guchengling mangrove had the highest percentage of bacteria,and GuangXi Beihai Nanwan habor had the highest percentage of fungi.There was significant relation between cytotoxic activity of the isolated strains to different microorganism types of bacteria,actinomycetes and fungi,among which thebacteria showed highest percentage of cytotoxic activity.