The effect of cobra (Naja naja) venom on blood coagulation/fibrinolysis system and on red blood cells

ABSTRACT

The effects of cobra (Naja naja) venom on blood coagulation , fibrinolysis and red blood cells were studied in vitro. Cobra venom had dose dependent inhibition effect on both intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. It also had inhibitive/ destructive effect on the individual clotting factors V, VII and X but on effect on the action of thrombin on fibrinogen. However, cobra venom had neither fibrinolytic nor fibrinogenolytic effect even at high venom concentration (10 mg/ ml). Furthemore, cobra venom had direct haemolytic effect shown by increased red cell fragility and raised plasma haemoglobin level.