ABSTRACT
Snake venoms are complex blend of enzymes and proteins/peptides depicting diverse pharmacological properties. Snakebite envenomation causes considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in rural regions. At present, the only available remedy for snakebite is polyvalent anti-venoms and the anti-venoms are shown to develop adverse effects such as anaphylaxis and pyrogen reactions. In the present study, we have examined anti-hemolytic activity of aqueous root extract of Cynodon dactylon against cardiotoxins belonging to three-finger toxin family of the Indian cobra crude venom. The aqueous root extract of the Cynodon dactylon was found to have remarkable anti-hemolytic potential against the crude venom, as probed by in vitro assay. In this background, the phytochemicals present in the Cynodon dactylon extract were delineated using mass spectrometry data obtained for the extract and the compounds were then subjected to high-throughput virtual screening. A comprehensive analyze on the molecular docking data paved a way to identify a few lead anti-hemolytic chemical compounds from the plant extract. Scopes to explore structural determinants for the interaction between the small molecules and target protein toxins at high resolutions have also been discussed.
Key words: Keywords: Anti-venom; Cynodon dactylon; Hemolysis; Molecular docking; Phytochemicals
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