Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Danielle Orozco-Nunnelly

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Biology and Chemistry

ORCID Identifier(s)

0009-0003-7487-0009 (Mansuri), 0000-0003-3381-0504 (Nunnelly), 0000-0002-6100-4633 (Pruet), 0000-0003-4144-0734 (Bouyer)

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-25-2024

Abstract

Bothrops atrox, a snake species endemic to South America, is often associated with traditional medicinal practices due to its therapeutic potential against various diseases. Recent studies have identified the presence of unique peptides, enzymes, and proteins in the venom of similar snake species, suggesting their roles in inhibiting the growth of specific bacteria and showing cytotoxic effects against certain mammalian cell lines. Therefore, this research project aims to explore the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties specifically of B. atrox venom by screening aqueous venom extract against twelve distinct prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms (using a Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay), in addition to one colon cancer cell line (using the MTT cell viability assay). Thus far, the aqueous B. atrox venom extract (at 1 mg/disc) was found to inhibit growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with little activity against the fungal organisms tested, and cytotoxic studies are also underway using colon cancer cells. We are simultaneously in the process of using reverse-phase column chromatography to isolate the active compounds present. Such compounds would then be identified using analytical chemistry techniques (like mass spec and NMR). The underlying objective of this work is to eventually isolate and characterize the therapeutic compounds responsible for these specific activities. These data highlight the importance of natural remedies as an important pharmaceutical resource at a time when antimicrobial and anticancer drug discovery has plateaued.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Throughout many centuries in South America, alternative medicine has been a pathway of diverse explorations on how to treat illnesses. In many countries like Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, the venom of the snake Bothrops atrox has been used to treat chronic illnesses. Personally witnessing the amazing results of using the native alternative medical practice of ingesting the venom in very small quantities, has opened a new world of curiosity for me and has made me want to research the effects and active components the venom of B. atrox for medical studies and explorations.

Download

Share

COinS