Cardiotoxicity of Naja nubiae snakebites: A review and consideration

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pharmacology and toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

3 Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

4 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Snake bites are considered as one of the serious challenges facing people living in areas near the place of those snakes’ habitat. Antivenin treatment though being the gold standard against expected toxicities, is not always present especially when toxicology centers are out of reach during cases of acute envenomation and injuries. Nubian spitting cobra or Naja nubiae is known to be major threat of hematological and cardiac toxicities in Upper Egypt. Although the main characteristic of its venom is being neurotoxic, cardiotoxicity due to high content of cardiotoxins and generation of reactive oxygen species is profound in cases of toxicity by envenomation. This review highlights the structure of cardiotoxins as the main component of Naja nubiae venom and lists different possible cardiotoxicities associated with it especially myocardial infarction and myocarditis. As well as possible future recommendations for those who are in risk of inhabiting or travelling to where these snakes are found.

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