Antiplatelet properties of snake venoms: a mini review

Abstract

Snake venoms contain various active compounds including pharmacological polypeptides and proteins with various molecular weights. Some of these polypeptides and proteins are enzymatic or act as proteinases and hugely impact thrombosis and hemostasis in other species including humans. Numerous active molecules with enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions in snake venoms have been identified so far. For example, phospholipase A₂ enzymes, l-amino acid oxidases, metalloproteinases, serine proteinase, disintegrins, and C-type lectin-like proteins are the main molecules. They have pro- or anti-thrombotic effects depending on various variables and may stimulate or inhibit platelet aggregation. In the present updated article, we reviewed the effects of snake venoms on platelets, and the underlying mechanisms of action will be discussed in detail.

Keywords:

• Snake venoms
• antiplatelet
• coagulation
• PLA₂
• metalloproteinase
• disintegrins

Acknowledgement

This study was partially supported by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Research Council.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.