Isolation and Characterization ofa Myotoxic Fraction from Cerastes Vipera Snake Venom

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of crude Cerastes vipera venom and some phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activity containing fraction (CV-PL-F 4 ). Furthermore, the current study examined the antimyotoxic action of dexamethasone, vitamins (Vit.) E and C and trypsin against the isolated fraction having the highest PLA 2 activity and crude venom. In the present study, a PLA 2 , designed CV-PL-F 4 , was isolated from Cerastes vipera snake venom through Sephadex G-75, and a screening for PLA 2 activity (via an indirect hemolysis assay) guided the search for a myotoxin. In conclusion, dexamethasone and Vit E are potentially useful in treating the myotoxic effect induced by Cerastes vipera crude venom and their CV-PL-F 4 fraction.