In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity of Phospholipases A2 and a Phospholipase Homologue Isolated from the Venom of the Snake Bothrops asper

Toxins

Juan Carlos Quintana Castillo¹  Leidy Johana Vargas²  Cesar Segura⁴  José Mar໚ Gutiérrez³ 

[1] Center for the Study of Biological Systems, Cooperative University of Colombia, Medellín 050012, Colombia;Ophidism/Escorpionism Program, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050012, Colombia; E-Mails:;Clodomiro Picado Institute, School of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José 1000, Costa Rica; E-Mail:;Malaria Group, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050012, Colombia; E-Mail:

关键词: snake venom;    Plasmodium falciparum;    Bothrops asper;    phospholipase A₂;    enzymatic activity;    phospholipase A₂ homologue;   

DOI  :  10.3390/toxins4121500

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The antimicrobial and antiparasite activity of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) from snakes and bees has been extensively explored. We studied the antiplasmodial effect of the whole venom of the snake Bothrops asper and of two fractions purified by ion-exchange chromatography: one containing catalytically-active phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂) (fraction V) and another containing a PLA₂ homologue devoid of enzymatic activity (fraction VI). The antiplasmodial effect was assessed on in vitro cultures of Plasmodium falciparum. The whole venom of B. asper, as well as its fractions V and VI, were active against the parasite at 0.13 ± 0.01 µg/mL, 1.42 ± 0.56 µg/mL and 22.89 ± 1.22 µg/mL, respectively. Differences in the cytotoxic activity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells between the whole venom and fractions V and VI were observed, fraction V showing higher toxicity than total venom and fraction VI. Regarding toxicity in mice, the whole venom showed the highest lethal effect in comparison to fractions V and VI. These results suggest that B. asper PLA₂ and its homologue have antiplasmodial potential.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.