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Snakebite envenoming is a serious medical problem in different areas of the world. In Latin America, the major prevalence is due to snakes of the family Viperidae, where rattlesnakes (Crotalus) are included. They produce hemotoxic venom which causes bleeding, tissue degradation and necrosis. Each venom has several enzymatic activities, producing different effects in the envenoming, doing its clinical effects difficult to study. Comparison between venom molecules is also difficult when different techniques are used, and therefore, their identification/characterization using the same methodology is necessary. In this work, a general biochemical characterization in snake venom of serine proteases (SVSP), phospholipases A2 (PLA2), metalloproteases (SVMP) and hyaluronidases (SVH) of Crotalus aquilus (Ca), Crotalus polystictus (Cp) and Crotalus molossus nigrescens (Cmn) was done. Differences in protein pattern, enzyme content and enzymatic activities were observed. All the venoms showed high PLA2 activity, high molecular weight SVSP, and a wide variety of SVMP and SVH forms. Ca and Cp showed the highest enzymatic activities of SVMP and SVSP trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like, whereas Cmn showed the highest SVH and similar PLA2 activity with Ca. All the venoms showed peptides with similar molecular weight to crotamine-like myotoxins. No previous biochemical characterization of C. aquilus has been reported and there are no previous analyses that include these four protein families in these Crotalus venoms.
Octavio Roldán-Padrón; José Luis Castro-Guillén; José Alejandro García-Arredondo; Martha Sandra Cruz-Pérez; Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Carlos Saldaña; Alejandro Blanco-Labra; Teresa García-Gasca. Snake Venom Hemotoxic Enzymes: Biochemical Comparison between Crotalus Species from Central Mexico. Molecules 2019, 24, 1489 .
AMA StyleOctavio Roldán-Padrón, José Luis Castro-Guillén, José Alejandro García-Arredondo, Martha Sandra Cruz-Pérez, Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña, Carlos Saldaña, Alejandro Blanco-Labra, Teresa García-Gasca. Snake Venom Hemotoxic Enzymes: Biochemical Comparison between Crotalus Species from Central Mexico. Molecules. 2019; 24 (8):1489.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavio Roldán-Padrón; José Luis Castro-Guillén; José Alejandro García-Arredondo; Martha Sandra Cruz-Pérez; Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Carlos Saldaña; Alejandro Blanco-Labra; Teresa García-Gasca. 2019. "Snake Venom Hemotoxic Enzymes: Biochemical Comparison between Crotalus Species from Central Mexico." Molecules 24, no. 8: 1489.
Spider venoms are widely recognized as a new emerging source of potential research tools, pesticides, drug leads, and therapeutic agents. Some studies suggest that these venoms may contain interesting vasodilator compounds with potential therapeutic applications. In the present study, the vasodilator activity of the venom of Poecilotheria regalis was evaluated in isolated rat aortic rings. This venom induced an endothelium-dependent vasodilation [EC50 value was 5.52 (4.18-7.32) μg protein/ml with an Emax = 103.4 ± 3.8%]. While the percentage of vasodilation induced by the venom was significantly diminished in the presence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), it remained unaltered in the presence of suramin, a P2-purinergic receptor antagonist. Moreover, the vasodilator activity of the venom was not affected after boiling bath incubation, but was significantly decreased under reducing conditions. Additionally, venom composition was analyzed by reverse-phase chromatography and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and two fractions were obtained, referred to as peptidic and non-peptidic fractions. Interestingly, both fractions induced vasodilation in isolated rat aortic rings. The results of this study showed that the venom of P. regalis induces a concentration-dependent vasodilation in rat aorta that was endothelium-dependent and involves the activation of NO/cGMP pathway. These results suggest that the venom contains a combination of both peptidic and non-peptidic vasodilator components. This study provides pharmacological data that suggest that P. regalis venom may be an important source of peptidic and non-peptidic vasodilator compounds.
Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Raymundo Ramírez; Luis Cuéllar-Balleza; Manuel B. Aguilar; Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Alejandro García-Arredondo. Rat aorta relaxation induced by the venom of Poecilotheria regalis involves the activation of the NO/cGMP pathway. Toxicon 2019, 163, 12 -18.
AMA StyleLuis Fernando Díaz-Peña, Raymundo Ramírez, Luis Cuéllar-Balleza, Manuel B. Aguilar, Fernando Lazcano-Pérez, Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa, César Ibarra-Alvarado, Alejandro García-Arredondo. Rat aorta relaxation induced by the venom of Poecilotheria regalis involves the activation of the NO/cGMP pathway. Toxicon. 2019; 163 ():12-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Raymundo Ramírez; Luis Cuéllar-Balleza; Manuel B. Aguilar; Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Alejandro García-Arredondo. 2019. "Rat aorta relaxation induced by the venom of Poecilotheria regalis involves the activation of the NO/cGMP pathway." Toxicon 163, no. : 12-18.
The European continent is inhabited by medically important venomous Viperinae snakes. Vipera ammodytes, Vipera berus, and Vipera aspis cause the greatest public health problems in Europe, but there are other equally significant snakes in specific regions of the continent. Immunotherapy is indicated for patients with systemic envenoming, of which there are approximately 4000 annual cases in Europe, and was suggested as an indication for young children and pregnant women, even if they do not have systemic symptoms. In the present study, the safety and venom-neutralizing efficacy of Inoserp Europe—a new F(ab’)2 polyvalent antivenom, designed to treat envenoming by snakes in the Eurasian region—were evaluated. In accordance with World Health Organization recommendations, several quality control parameters were applied to evaluate the safety of this antivenom. The venom-neutralizing efficacy of the antivenom was evaluated in mice and the results showed it had appropriate neutralizing potency against the venoms of several species of Vipera, Montivipera, and Macrovipera. Paraspecificity of the antivenom was demonstrated as well, since it neutralized venoms of species not included in the immunization schemes and contains satisfactory levels of total proteins and F(ab’)2 fragment concentration. Therefore, this new polyvalent antivenom could be effective in the treatment of snake envenoming in Europe, including Western Russia and Turkey.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Michel Martínez; Arlene Calderón; Asunción Saldívar; Raúl Soria. Preclinical Assessment of a New Polyvalent Antivenom (Inoserp Europe) against Several Species of the Subfamily Viperinae. Toxins 2019, 11, 149 .
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Michel Martínez, Arlene Calderón, Asunción Saldívar, Raúl Soria. Preclinical Assessment of a New Polyvalent Antivenom (Inoserp Europe) against Several Species of the Subfamily Viperinae. Toxins. 2019; 11 (3):149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Michel Martínez; Arlene Calderón; Asunción Saldívar; Raúl Soria. 2019. "Preclinical Assessment of a New Polyvalent Antivenom (Inoserp Europe) against Several Species of the Subfamily Viperinae." Toxins 11, no. 3: 149.
Assaying venom toxicity in a suitable model system is often tricky, since normally the amount of venom is in short supply, and the assay subjects, i.e., typically mice, require large amounts. There is also no guarantee that the effects observed in the bioassay reflect the true nature of the venom's intended effects, as the animals used for assessment might not be the prey items to which the venom has evolved. We harvested tarantula venoms from the Indian Poecilotheria regalis and the Mexican Bonnetina papalutlensis using light anesthesia and electrical stimulation. We follow the definition of venom as stated in (Nelsen et al., 2014). The recovered venom was lyophilized and reconstituted in sterile saline solution for injections. Drosophila melanogaster third instar larvae and adult flies were injected with 4.6 nanoliters of different concentrations of the venoms into the sixth abdominal segment, and scored for survival and development to adulthood. The injected venoms were very effective in provoking lethality of injected larvae and adults, with an LD50 of 1–5 nanomoles protein /gram wet weight. Comparison with other toxicity bioassays, i.e., mice and crickets –using the same P. regalis venom- renders the Drosophila bioassays three orders of magnitude more sensitive. The P. regalis and B. papalutlensis venoms have similar LD50. These bioassays use a small amount of venom compared to other bioassays, allowing characterization with far fewer starting material. As it uses insects, phylogenetically close to the intended prey victims, it also points to the efficiency of the tarantula venom for its preferred prey items, and thus, links as well to the tarantulas' ecology.
Luis F. Díaz-Peña; Alejandro García-Arredondo; Juan R. Riesgo-Escovar. Drosophila bioassays are very sensitive methods to assess tarantula species venoms. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 2019, 96, 56 -60.
AMA StyleLuis F. Díaz-Peña, Alejandro García-Arredondo, Juan R. Riesgo-Escovar. Drosophila bioassays are very sensitive methods to assess tarantula species venoms. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods. 2019; 96 ():56-60.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis F. Díaz-Peña; Alejandro García-Arredondo; Juan R. Riesgo-Escovar. 2019. "Drosophila bioassays are very sensitive methods to assess tarantula species venoms." Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 96, no. : 56-60.
Cnidarian venoms and extracts have shown a broad variety of biological activities including cytotoxic, antibacterial and antitumoral effects. Most of these studied extracts were obtained from sea anemones or jellyfish. The present study aimed to determine the toxic activity and assess the antitumor and antiparasitic potential of Palythoa caribaeorum venom by evaluating its in vitro toxicity on several models including human tumor cell lines and against the parasite Giardia intestinalis. The presence of cytolysins and vasoconstrictor activity of P. caribaeorum venom were determined by hemolysis, PLA2 and isolated rat aortic ring assays, respectively. The cytotoxic effect was tested on HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (human mammary adenocarcinoma), K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia), U251 (human glyoblastoma), PC-3 (human prostatic adenocarcinoma) and SKLU-1 (human lung adenocarcinoma). An in vivo toxicity assay was performed with crickets and the antiparasitic assay was performed against G. intestinalis at 24 h of incubation. P. caribaeorum venom produced hemolytic and PLA2 activity and showed specific cytotoxicity against U251 and SKLU-1 cell lines, with approximately 50% growing inhibition. The venom was toxic to insects and showed activity against G. intestinalis in a dose-dependent manner by possibly altering its membrane osmotic equilibrium. These results suggest that P. caribaeorum venom contains compounds with potential therapeutic value against microorganisms and cancer.
Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Ariana Zavala-Moreno; Yadira Rufino-González; Martha Ponce-Macotela; Alejandro García-Arredondo; Miguel Cuevas-Cruz; Saúl Gómez-Manzo; Jaime Marcial-Quino; Barbarín Arreguín-Lozano; Roberto Arreguin-Espinosa. Hemolytic, anticancer and antigiardial activity of Palythoa caribaeorum venom. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2018, 24, 12 .
AMA StyleFernando Lazcano-Pérez, Ariana Zavala-Moreno, Yadira Rufino-González, Martha Ponce-Macotela, Alejandro García-Arredondo, Miguel Cuevas-Cruz, Saúl Gómez-Manzo, Jaime Marcial-Quino, Barbarín Arreguín-Lozano, Roberto Arreguin-Espinosa. Hemolytic, anticancer and antigiardial activity of Palythoa caribaeorum venom. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2018; 24 (1):12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando Lazcano-Pérez; Ariana Zavala-Moreno; Yadira Rufino-González; Martha Ponce-Macotela; Alejandro García-Arredondo; Miguel Cuevas-Cruz; Saúl Gómez-Manzo; Jaime Marcial-Quino; Barbarín Arreguín-Lozano; Roberto Arreguin-Espinosa. 2018. "Hemolytic, anticancer and antigiardial activity of Palythoa caribaeorum venom." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 24, no. 1: 12.
Theraphosid spider venoms are extremely complex mixtures, composed mainly by low molecular compounds, peptides, and enzymes. The large size of these spiders and their ability to breed in captivity permits access to rather large amounts of venom and an easier venom extraction. In the present study, conducted a comparative investigation about the content of hyaluronidase-like enzymes in the venoms from several theraphosid spiders, with a special focus on the Poecilotheria species, which are considered as underestimated theraphosids of medical importance. The following species were analyzed: Poecilotheria regalis, Poecilotheria ornata, Poecilotheria rufilata, Poecilotheria vittata, Bonnetina papalutlensis, Aphonopelma sp., Brachypelma smithi, Brachypelma epicureanum, Brachypelma boehmei, Grammostola porteri, Lasiodora klugi, Ceratogyrus darlingi, and Nhandu chromatus. The presence of hyaluronidase-like enzymes was evidenced in all venoms by a turbidimetric method and zymography. Several isoforms of acid-active hyaluronidase-like enzymes were detected in the venoms from Poecilotheria species. These results provide some biochemical characteristics of the high molecular mass proteins of the theraphosid venoms.
Luis Rodríguez-Rios; Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Roberto Arreguin; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; Alejandro García-Arredondo. Hyaluronidase-like enzymes are a frequent component of venoms from theraphosid spiders. Toxicon 2017, 136, 34 -43.
AMA StyleLuis Rodríguez-Rios, Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña, Fernando Lazcano-Pérez, Roberto Arreguin, Alejandra Rojas-Molina, Alejandro García-Arredondo. Hyaluronidase-like enzymes are a frequent component of venoms from theraphosid spiders. Toxicon. 2017; 136 ():34-43.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Rodríguez-Rios; Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Roberto Arreguin; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; Alejandro García-Arredondo. 2017. "Hyaluronidase-like enzymes are a frequent component of venoms from theraphosid spiders." Toxicon 136, no. : 34-43.
Scleractinian corals (stony corals) are the most abundant reef-forming cnidarians found in coral reefs throughout the world. Despite their abundance and ecological importance, information about the diversity of their toxins and their biological activities is very scarce. In this study, the chemical composition and the biological activities of the aqueous extracts of Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea, three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean, have been assessed for the first time. Toxicity of the extracts was assessed in crickets; the presence of cytolysins was detected by the hemolysis assay; the vasoconstrictor activity was determined by the isolated rat aortic ring assay; the nociceptive activity was evaluated by the formalin test. The presence of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), serine proteases, and hyaluronidases was determined by enzymatic methods. Low-molecular-weight fractions were obtained by gel filtration chromatography and ultrafiltration. Extracts from the three species were toxic to crickets, induced hemolysis in human and rat erythrocytes, produced vasoconstriction on isolated rat aortic rings, and presented phospholipase A2 and serine-protease activity. Despite the fact that these corals are not considered to be harmless to humans, the extracts generated significant nociceptive responses. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis of the low-molecular-weight fractions revealed the presence of peptides within a mass range of 3000 to 6000 Da. These fractions were toxic to crickets and two of them induced a transitory vasoconstrictor effect on isolated rat aortic rings. This study suggests that scleractinian corals produce low-molecular-weight peptides that are lethal to crickets and induce vasoconstriction.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa; Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez. Composition and biological activities of the aqueous extracts of three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean: Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2016, 22, 32 .
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Alejandra Rojas-Molina, César Ibarra-Alvarado, Fernando Lazcano-Pérez, Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa, Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez. Composition and biological activities of the aqueous extracts of three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean: Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2016; 22 (1):32.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Fernando Lazcano-Pérez; Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa; Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez. 2016. "Composition and biological activities of the aqueous extracts of three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean: Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 22, no. 1: 32.
Millepora alcicornis is a branching hydrocoral common throughout the Caribbean Sea. Like other members of this genus, this species is capable of inducing skin eruptions and blisters with severe pain after contact. In the present study, we investigated the toxicity of the M. alcicornis aqueous extract on several animal models. Considering that some cnidarian hemolysins have been associated to local tissue damage, since they also induce lysis of other cell types, we also made a partial characterization of the hemolytic activity of M. alcicornis aqueous extract. This information is important for understanding the defense mechanisms of the “fire corals”. The effects of pH, temperature, and some divalent cations on the hemolytic activity of the extract were assayed, followed by a zymogram analysis to detect the cytolysins and determine their approximate molecular weight. The toxicity of the aqueous extract was assayed in mice, by intravenous administration, and histopathological changes on several tissues were analyzed by light microscopy. The toxicity of the extract was also tested in Artemia salina nauplii, and the damages caused on the crustaceans were analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The hemolytic activity of the hydrocoral extract was enhanced in the presence of Ca2+ (≥2 mM), Mg2+ (≥6 mM), and Ba2+ (≥0.1 mM); however, it was reduced in the presence of Cu2+ (≥0.1 mM), Zn2+ (≥6 mM), and EDTA (≥0.34 mM). Differences in the pH did not affect the hemolytic activity, but it was temperature-sensitive, since preincubation at ≥ 50 °C sharply reduced hemolysis. The zymogram showed the presence of two types of hemolysins: ~ 28–30 kDa proteins with phospholipase A2 activity and ~ 200 kDa proteins that do not elicit enzymatic activity. The aqueous extract of this cnidarian was lethal to mice (LD50 = 17 μg protein/g), and induced kidney, liver, and lung damages. Under denaturing conditions, the aqueous extract completely lost its toxic and hemolytic activities. The results showed that the M. alcicornis aqueous extract contains two types of thermolabile hemolysins: proteins of approximately 28–30 kDa with PLA2 activity, while the others are larger proteins of approximately 200 kDa, which do not possess PLA2 activity. Those thermolabile cytolysins, which are stable to pH changes and whose activity is calcium dependent, are capable of inducing damage in lung, kidney and liver tissues, resulting in a slow death of mice. M. alcicornis cytolysins also provoke tissue dissociation in Artemia salina nauplii that might be attributed to pore forming mechanisms.
Rosalina Hernández-Matehuala; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; Alma Angelica Vuelvas-Solórzano; Alejandro Garcia-Arredondo; Cesar Ibarra Alvarado; Norma Olguín-López; Manuel Aguilar. Cytolytic and systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora alcicornis collected in the Mexican Caribbean and detection of two types of cytolisins. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2015, 21, 36 .
AMA StyleRosalina Hernández-Matehuala, Alejandra Rojas-Molina, Alma Angelica Vuelvas-Solórzano, Alejandro Garcia-Arredondo, Cesar Ibarra Alvarado, Norma Olguín-López, Manuel Aguilar. Cytolytic and systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora alcicornis collected in the Mexican Caribbean and detection of two types of cytolisins. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2015; 21 (1):36.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosalina Hernández-Matehuala; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; Alma Angelica Vuelvas-Solórzano; Alejandro Garcia-Arredondo; Cesar Ibarra Alvarado; Norma Olguín-López; Manuel Aguilar. 2015. "Cytolytic and systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora alcicornis collected in the Mexican Caribbean and detection of two types of cytolisins." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 21, no. 1: 36.
An open access academic publication dedicated to research on all aspects of toxins, venomous animals and their derivative products.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Luis Rodríguez-Rios; Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Ricardo Vega-Ángeles. Pharmacological characterization of venoms from three theraphosid spiders: Poecilotheria regalis, Ceratogyrus darlingi and Brachypelma epicureanum. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2015, 21, 1 .
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Luis Rodríguez-Rios, Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña, Ricardo Vega-Ángeles. Pharmacological characterization of venoms from three theraphosid spiders: Poecilotheria regalis, Ceratogyrus darlingi and Brachypelma epicureanum. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2015; 21 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Luis Rodríguez-Rios; Luis Fernando Díaz-Peña; Ricardo Vega-Ángeles. 2015. "Pharmacological characterization of venoms from three theraphosid spiders: Poecilotheria regalis, Ceratogyrus darlingi and Brachypelma epicureanum." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 21, no. 1: 1.
Millepora complanata is a cnidarian widely distributed in the coral reefs of the Mexican Caribbean. This species is popularly known as "fire coral", since contact with it causes severe pain, skin eruptions and blisters. Intravenous administration of of M. complanata aqueous extract induces violent convulsions and death in mice within 1 min (LD50=4.62µgprotein/g of body weight). Doses less than the LD50 produced histopathological damage in kidneys and lungs. Such histopathological damage was completely eliminated after incubation of the extract in heat denaturing conditions. Unexpectedly, the denatured extract conserved its lethal effect. These findings demonstrated that the extract contained hemolytic and phospholipase activities that might be responsible for the histopathological damage, and additionally it contained other unidentified thermostable toxins with lethal effects in mice. Chromatographic analysis of the extract led to the isolation of a 61 kDa vasoconstrictor protein. Furthermore, several non-peptidic vasoconstrictor fractions were separated. Particularly interesting was the fraction MC1-IIA obtained as a result of three-step chromatography processes (ion exchange, gel filtration and reverse phase). Like the original crude extract, this fraction induced vasoconstriction and delayed hemolysis and lethal effects in mice. A subsequent chromatographic analysis of MC1-IIA showed that this fraction contained at least four non-peptidic compounds. MS and NMR spectroscopic data analyses indicated that these metabolites were poly-oxygenated alkylbenzenes. The present study constitutes the first report of the presence of non-peptidic lethal toxins in an organism of the class Hydrozoa, and evidences the great structural diversity of the toxins produced by the Millepora species.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; Moustapha Bah; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Marco Antonio Gallegos-Corona; Martín García-Servín. Systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora complanata and partial purification of thermostable neurotoxins with lethal effects in mice. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 2015, 169, 55 -64.
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Alejandra Rojas-Molina, Moustapha Bah, César Ibarra-Alvarado, Marco Antonio Gallegos-Corona, Martín García-Servín. Systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora complanata and partial purification of thermostable neurotoxins with lethal effects in mice. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology. 2015; 169 ():55-64.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; Moustapha Bah; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Marco Antonio Gallegos-Corona; Martín García-Servín. 2015. "Systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora complanata and partial purification of thermostable neurotoxins with lethal effects in mice." Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 169, no. : 55-64.
Millepora complanata is a plate-like fire coral common throughout the Caribbean. Contact with this species usually provokes burning pain, erythema and urticariform lesions. Our previous study suggested that the aqueous extract of M. complanata contains non-protein hemolysins that are soluble in water and ethanol. In general, the local damage induced by cnidarian venoms has been associated with hemolysins. The characterization of the effects of these components is important for the understanding of the defense mechanisms of fire corals. In addition, this information could lead to better care for victims of envenomation accidents. An ethanolic extract from the lyophilized aqueous extract was prepared and its hemolytic activity was compared with the hemolysis induced by the denatured aqueous extract. Based on the finding that ethanol failed to induce nematocyst discharge, ethanolic extracts were prepared from artificially bleached and normal M. complanata fragments and their hemolytic activity was tested in order to obtain information about the source of the heat-stable hemolysins. Rodent erythrocytes were more susceptible to the aqueous extract than chicken and human erythrocytes. Hemolytic activity started at ten minutes of incubation and was relatively stable within the range of 28-50°C. When the aqueous extract was preincubated at temperatures over 60°C, hemolytic activity was significantly reduced. The denatured extract induced a slow hemolytic activity (HU50 = 1,050.00 ± 45.85 μg/mL), detectable four hours after incubation, which was similar to that induced by the ethanolic extract prepared from the aqueous extract (HU50 = 1,167.00 ± 54.95 μg/mL). No significant differences were observed between hemolysis induced by ethanolic extracts from bleached and normal fragments, although both activities were more potent than hemolysis induced by the denatured extract. The results showed that the aqueous extract of M. complanata possesses one or more powerful heat-labile hemolytic proteins that are slightly more resistant to temperature than jellyfish venoms. This extract also contains slow thermostable hemolysins highly soluble in ethanol that are probably derived from the body tissues of the hydrozoan.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Luis J Murillo-Esquivel; Alejandra Rojas; Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez. Characteristics of hemolytic activity induced by the aqueous extract of the Mexican fire coral Millepora complanata. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2014, 20, 49 .
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Luis J Murillo-Esquivel, Alejandra Rojas, Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez. Characteristics of hemolytic activity induced by the aqueous extract of the Mexican fire coral Millepora complanata. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2014; 20 (1):49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Luis J Murillo-Esquivel; Alejandra Rojas; Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez. 2014. "Characteristics of hemolytic activity induced by the aqueous extract of the Mexican fire coral Millepora complanata." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 20, no. 1: 49.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Roberto Iglesias-Prieto. 109. A Comparison of the Structural Characteristics of the Nematocysts of the “Fire Corals” Millepora alcicornis and M. complanata, and their Hemolytic and Vasoconstrictor Effects. Toxicon 2012, 60, 150 .
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Alejandra Rojas, César Ibarra-Alvarado, Roberto Iglesias-Prieto. 109. A Comparison of the Structural Characteristics of the Nematocysts of the “Fire Corals” Millepora alcicornis and M. complanata, and their Hemolytic and Vasoconstrictor Effects. Toxicon. 2012; 60 (2):150.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Roberto Iglesias-Prieto. 2012. "109. A Comparison of the Structural Characteristics of the Nematocysts of the “Fire Corals” Millepora alcicornis and M. complanata, and their Hemolytic and Vasoconstrictor Effects." Toxicon 60, no. 2: 150.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Moustapha Bah. 116. Systemic Toxicity of the “Fire Coral” Millepora complanata: Isolation of a Non-Protein Vasoconstrictor Fraction with Lethal Activity in Mice. Toxicon 2012, 60, 153 -154.
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Alejandra Rojas, César Ibarra-Alvarado, Moustapha Bah. 116. Systemic Toxicity of the “Fire Coral” Millepora complanata: Isolation of a Non-Protein Vasoconstrictor Fraction with Lethal Activity in Mice. Toxicon. 2012; 60 (2):153-154.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Moustapha Bah. 2012. "116. Systemic Toxicity of the “Fire Coral” Millepora complanata: Isolation of a Non-Protein Vasoconstrictor Fraction with Lethal Activity in Mice." Toxicon 60, no. 2: 153-154.
Structural characteristics of discharged and undischarged nematocysts from the hydrozoans Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata, two fire corals collected in the Mexican Caribbean, were examined using transmission electron, scanning and light microscopy. In this study, we report for the first time images of the nematocysts found in these Mexican Caribbean venomous species. Two types of nematocysts were observed in both species, the more abundant identified as macrobasic mastigophore and the other a stenotele type. Macrobasic mastigophores were present in medium and large size classes while stenoteles appeared in only one size
Alejandro García-Arredondo; A Rojas; R Iglesias-Prieto; A Zepeda-Rodriguez; L Palma-Tirado. Structure of nematocysts isolated from the fire corals Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2012, 18, 109 -115.
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, A Rojas, R Iglesias-Prieto, A Zepeda-Rodriguez, L Palma-Tirado. Structure of nematocysts isolated from the fire corals Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. 2012; 18 (1):109-115.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; A Rojas; R Iglesias-Prieto; A Zepeda-Rodriguez; L Palma-Tirado. 2012. "Structure of nematocysts isolated from the fire corals Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 18, no. 1: 109-115.
Hydrocorals of the genus Millepora are abundant skeleton-forming inhabitants of coral reefs around the world. These species are popularly known as “fire corals” since contact with them causes severe pain, skin eruptions and blisters as a result of the release of unidentified toxins. Millepora species associate with photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium (“zooxanthellae”), and up to now the role of these symbionts in the toxic effects induced by the “fire corals” is unknown. In this study, we compared the hemolytic, vasoconstrictor, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities of the crude aqueous extracts prepared from normal and bleached specimens of two hydrocorals collected in the Mexican Caribbean, Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata. Electrophoretic analysis revealed some differences between the protein profiles of the extracts prepared from normal and bleached specimens. Bleaching decreased, but not abolished, the hemolytic effect induced by the hydrocorals extracts and the phospholipase A2 activity of M. complanata extract. Furthermore, it did not modify the enzymatic activity of M. alcicornis extract and vasoconstriction elicited by both extracts. Our results suggest that the presence of the symbionts does not importantly influence the pharmacological and toxic effects induced by Millepora ssp. extracts, and indicate that cnidarians are the main source of the bioactive compounds.
Alejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Roberto Iglesias-Prieto. Effects of bleaching on the pharmacological and toxicological activities elicited by the aqueous extracts prepared from two “fire corals” collected in the Mexican Caribbean. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2010, 396, 171 -176.
AMA StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo, Alejandra Rojas-Molina, César Ibarra-Alvarado, Roberto Iglesias-Prieto. Effects of bleaching on the pharmacological and toxicological activities elicited by the aqueous extracts prepared from two “fire corals” collected in the Mexican Caribbean. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2010; 396 (2):171-176.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro García-Arredondo; Alejandra Rojas-Molina; César Ibarra-Alvarado; Roberto Iglesias-Prieto. 2010. "Effects of bleaching on the pharmacological and toxicological activities elicited by the aqueous extracts prepared from two “fire corals” collected in the Mexican Caribbean." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 396, no. 2: 171-176.
Millepora complanata is a normal resident of coral reefs in the Mexican Caribbean. In this study, we describe for the first time the vasoconstrictor, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and hemolytic activities elicited by a crude extract obtained from M. complanata. This extract caused a concentration-dependent contraction of isolated rat aortic rings (EC50 = 22.4 ± 1.1 μg protein/mL). This effect was endothelium independent and significantly reduced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and when the intracellular Ca2+ stores were depleted. In addition, the crude extract obtained from M. complanata showed PLA2 activity (7.231 ± 0.092 mmol min− 1 mg− 1) and hemolysis of rat erythrocytes (HU50 = 1.64 ± 1.04 μg protein/mL). The hemolysis increased in the presence of Ca2+ and decreased in the presence of cholesterol. Furthermore, this hemolysis was significantly reduced after incubation with an inhibitor of PLA2 enzymes. The hemolytic and vasoconstrictor effects were abolished after incubating the extract under denaturing conditions. Reverse phase chromatography of the M. complanata extract afforded 19 fractions (F1 to F19). F4 induced hemolysis and contained mainly a protein of 30 kDa, probably a PLA2 enzyme, while F8 and F11, containing mainly proteins of 15 and 20 kDa respectively, produced vasoconstrictor effects mediated by different mechanisms of action.
César Ibarra-Alvarado; Alejandro García-Arredondo; Manuel B. Aguilar; Alejandra Rojas; Andrés Falcón; Edgar P. Heimer de la Cotera. Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of toxins obtained from the fire coral Millepora complanata. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 2007, 146, 511 -518.
AMA StyleCésar Ibarra-Alvarado, Alejandro García-Arredondo, Manuel B. Aguilar, Alejandra Rojas, Andrés Falcón, Edgar P. Heimer de la Cotera. Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of toxins obtained from the fire coral Millepora complanata. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology. 2007; 146 (4):511-518.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCésar Ibarra-Alvarado; Alejandro García-Arredondo; Manuel B. Aguilar; Alejandra Rojas; Andrés Falcón; Edgar P. Heimer de la Cotera. 2007. "Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of toxins obtained from the fire coral Millepora complanata." Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 146, no. 4: 511-518.