Lancehead pitvipers, Bothrops snakes, or, popularly, “jararacas”, are common and broadly distributed in the Americas, especially in Brazil, where they are responsible for causing a high number of snakebite accidents. Their venoms are able to induce local and systemic effects, such as hemorrhaging, acute kidney failure, and shock, that can be fatal. Among the compounds of the venom are phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s), which are abundant in some Bothrops species. PLA₂s can perform different activities during envenoming, such as neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, and cytotoxicity, among others, through the hydrolysis of the ester bond at the sn-2 position of phospholipids, producing free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. Although different PLA₂s can be classified into different PLA₂ groups and subgroups, according to structure, function, size, localization and Ca²⁺ dependence, they converge to be available in biotechnological and therapeutic applications, such as antiviral and antitumor, among others, being relevant molecules to be deeply studied. Here, we provide the state of the art of PLA₂s, found in snake venoms, focusing on Bothrops venoms, as well as their potential applications, beyond their inhibitors, that also receive attention due their importance in PLA₂ studies and diverse applications.

Leukemias and lymphomas are hematologic malignancies characterized by complex pathophysiological mechanisms and increasing global incidence. Despite advances in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, challenges such as drug resistance and relapse persist, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. This review explores the cytotoxic potential of venoms derived from snakes, bees, and scorpions against leukemia and lymphoma cells. Numerous venom-derived components, such as L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s), and peptides like melittin, demonstrate selective antitumor activity through mechanisms involving oxidative stress, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and immunomodulation. These molecules exert their effects via mitochondrial pathways, caspase activation, and inhibition of pro-survival signaling cascades such as NF-κB and PI3K/Akt. Despite promising preclinical results, the clinical translation of these bioactive compounds remains limited due to challenges in standardization, delivery, and safety profiling. This review highlights recent advances in venom research, summarizes key molecular targets, and discusses future directions to harness venom-derived molecules as innovative therapies for hematological cancers.

Venoms from Bothrops species and Daboia russelii are among the leading causes of venom‐induced coagulopathy and snakebite‐related deaths. In this study, we comparatively evaluated the biochemical composition and hemostatic effects of venoms from seven Bothrops species and D. russelii using protein profiling and functional coagulation assays. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) analysis revealed broadly similar molecular weight distributions between the two genera, consistent with the presence of snake venom metalloproteinases, serine proteases, and phospholipases A ₂ , but with notable interspecific variability among Bothrops venoms. Enzymatic assays demonstrated heterogeneous metalloproteinase, serine protease, and phospholipase A ₂ activities across Bothrops species, whereas D. russelii venom showed strong phospholipase A ₂ activity and limited fibrinogenolytic activity. Functional coagulation analyses revealed marked differences between the genera. Bothrops venoms induced rapid clot initiation, with alterations in clot formation observed in a species‐dependent manner, accompanied by pronounced fibrinogen degradation, consistent with consumption coagulopathy driven by fibrinogenolysis and clot destabilization. In contrast, D. russelii venom exhibited a strong procoagulant profile, significantly reducing prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, with minimal direct fibrinogen degradation. Previous studies have shown that D. russelii venom also promotes rapid clot formation in rotational thromboelastometry assays. Together, these findings demonstrate that Bothrops spp. and D. russelii venoms converge functionally in disrupting hemostasis but do so through distinct biochemical strategies, providing experimental support for the divergent coagulation phenotypes observed clinically.

In Brazil, snakebites are a critical health issue, particularly in the state of Roraima, where Bothrops species account for the majority of cases. Snake venoms contain multifunctional toxins that cause life-threatening systemic complications and complex wounds, often resulting in permanent disabilities. Although antivenoms have reduced lethality, they fail to prevent the rapid and prolonged action of tissue-damaging toxins at the bite site. As a result, snakebite management is characterized by prolonged hospitalizations and high healthcare costs. Therefore, effective management of these complex wounds is crucial to improving patient outcomes. This article presents a series of four clinical cases involving Bothrops snakebite patients treated at the General Hospital of Roraima. Each case describes the progression of the injury, clinical challenges, interventions, and outcomes. Vacuum-Assisted Wound Therapy (VAWT) was employed as a key component of treatment in all cases, promoting faster granulation tissue formation, infection control, and reduced risk of amputation. The use of VAWT demonstrated significant improvements in wound healing compared to conventional treatment approaches. These findings highlight the potential benefits of VAWT in managing complex snakebite-related wounds, especially in severe cases with high risks of complications. However, barriers such as the high cost of therapy and limited access in remote and resource-poor regions must be addressed to enable broader clinical application.