The 'Big Four' Snakes of India

This book provides detailed and updated knowledge about medically important 'Big Four' venomous snakes of India (Indian spectacled cobra, Indian common krait, Indian Russell's viper, and Indian saw-scaled viper). This book essentially covers the snakebite problem in the world with particular reference to Asia and India. It discusses the evolution and systematics of venomous snakes, emphasizing 'Big Four' venomous snakes of India; the evolution and composition of venoms determined by traditional biochemical and modern proteomic analyses. It also describes the pharmacological properties of enzymatic and non-enzymatic toxins of 'Big Four' venomous snakes of India. Different chapters discuss exciting topics such as species-specific and geographical differences in venom composition and its impact on pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of snakebite envenomation in India, biomedical application of Indian snake venom toxins; production and quality assessment of commercial antivenom, prevention, and treatment of snakebite in India, adverse effects of antivenom including strategies to combat antivenom reactions inpatient.

This book caters to toxinologists, pharmacologists, zoologists, antivenom manufacturers, biochemists, clinicians, evolutionary biologists, herpetologists, and informed non-specialists interested to know about the Indian snake venoms.

Auteur

Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee is the Director of the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India, and a Professor of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Tezpur University, Assam, India. He did M. Sc. (Biochemistry) from Banaras Hindu University, Ph. D. in biochemistry and pharmacology of Indian Cobra and Russell's viper venom from Burdwan Medical College under Burdwan University, and D. Sc. (Biotechnology) from Calcutta University on characterization and biotechnological application of phospholipase A2 and proteases from Indian Cobra and Russell's viper venom. Prof. Mukherjee has more than 25 years of research experience on Indian snake venoms and the treatment of venomous snakebites. His current research interest includes biochemical, pharmacological, and proteomic analyses of Indian snake venoms, quality assessment of commercial antivenom, and novel diagnostics and drug discovery from natural resources, including snake venom. He has published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals and book chapters, guided Ph. D. students, and received several awards and medals for his academic competence and research achievements, the most notable is the Visitor's Award for Research in Basic and Applied Sciences from honorable President of India in 2018. Prof. Mukherjee is also the task force member of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research, Government of India, and World Health Organization (WHO) on prevention and control of snakebite envenoming.

Contenu

Chapter I: Introduction: The snakebite problem

1.1. A glimpse of the venomous snakes of India

1.2 The concept of Big Four and non-Big Four medically important venomous snakes of India:

1.3 Medical aspect of snakebite-the snakebite problem

1.3.1 Snakebite in developed countries

1.3.2. Epidemiology of snakebite in Asia

1.3.3 Epidemiology of snakebite in India

1.4 Key issues pertaining to snakebite in India

Chapter II: Evolution of snakes and systematics of Big Four venomous snakes of India

2.1 Evolution of snakes

2.2 Studies comprising genomics, phenomics, and the fossil records show the origin and evolution of snakes

2.3 Studies on genomic regression of claw keratin, taste receptor, and light-associated genes to shed light on the evolutionary origin of snakes 2.4 Skull evolution and ecological origin of snakes

2.5 Systematics of Big Four venomous snakes of India

2.6 The Big Four venomous snakes of India represent advanced group of snakes

2.6.1. Family Elapidae 2.6.1.1. Genus Bungarus (Kraits)

2.6.1.2. Genus Naja (Cobras)

2.6.2. Family Viperidae

2.6.2.1. Genus Daboia

2.6.2.2. Genus Echis

Chapter III: Snake venom: Composition, evolution, function, and biomedical applications

3.1 Venom gland and venom delivery apparatus in Viperidae and Elapidae family of snakes

3.2 A comprehensive review on venom composition of Big Four venomous snakes of India

3.2.1 Enzymatic toxins of Big Four snake venoms

3.2.2 A Non-enzymatic toxins of Big Four snake venoms

3.2.3 Non-protein components of snake venoms

3.3 Variation in snake venom composition and its impact on pathogenesis of snakebite and antivenom treatment

3.4 Evolution of toxins genes in snake venom

3.4.1 Toxicofera hypothesis

3.4.2 Independent origin hypothesis

3.5. Mechanism of evolution and diversification of venom proteins 3.5.1 Accelerated evolution of venom protein genes

3.5.2 Selection pressure on rapid adaptive evolution

3.5.3 Diet and snake venom evolution

3.6 Biological functions of venom

3.6.1 Prey-specific venom toxicity 3.6.2 Immobilization and pre-digestion of prey

3.6.3. Prey re-localization

3.7. Indian Snake venom proteins- a treasure house of drug prototypes

Chapter IV: Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja)

4.1. Taxonomic classification of Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja)

4.2. Distinctive and characteristics features of Indian spectacled cobra

4.3 Geographical distribution and reproduction of Indian spectacled cobra

4.4 Biochemical composition of Indian spectacled cobra venom

4.5 Biochemical and proteomic analyses have demonstrated the geographic differences in composition of Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) venom

4.6. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses of Indian spectacled cobra venom toxins

4.7. Species-specific differences in venom composition between two cobras- N. naja and N. kaouthia from the same geographical location of the country

4.8 Pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of Indian spectacled cobra envenomation:

Chapter V: Indian common Krait (Bungarus cerelus)

5.1. Taxonomic classification of Indian common krait

5.2. Distinctive and characteristics features of Indian common krait

5.3. Geographical distribution, habitat, behavior, and reproduction of Indian common krait

5.4. Venom composition of Indian common krait 5.6. Pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of Indian common krait envenomation

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