Biochemical Studies on the Poison of <i>Naja naja atra</i>

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  • Sasaki Toyosaku
    Pharmacological Laboratory, Medical Faculty, University of Taipei Pharmacological Laboratory, Medical College, University of Taipei Hyogo Prefectural Agricultural College

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Other Title
  • 台湾こぶら毒の生化学的研究
  • タイワンコブラドク ノ セイカガクテキ ケンキュウ

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Abstract

General analyses were carried out on the Formosan cobra venom and its fractionation was carried out with ammonium sulfate and acetone. It was found that a certain amount of purification was possible by the simple acetone method. The venom divided into two portions by the acetone method, one, a strong venom (potency, 6.6 times that of the original venom) which possessed a strong lecithinase action and no irritative action against mucous membrane, and the other, a weak one (potency, 1/25 of the original venom) which possessed almost no lecithinase action but a very strong irritative action against mucous membrane. The strong venom was further purified by ammonium sulfate into a very strong venom (potency, 10 times the original) possessing almost no lecithinase action. Both venoms were put to general analyses, and the results of their nitrogen distribution, content of cystine-form sulfur, and total sulfur are shown in the accompanying table. Total and cystine-form sulfur were found less in the strong venom, showing that they are not proportionate to the poison. The contrary evidence was obtained with the nitrogen content, which was found to be larger in a stronger venom. The amount of histidine and arginine nitrogen was the most remarkable, the amount of histidine nitrogen in the strong venom being seven times that in the weak venom. It is interesting to note that this portion showed a strong Pauli reac tion. Since the potency of the venom was lowered by the action of nitrous acid, amino-nitrogen is also related to the poisonous property.

Journal

  • YAKUGAKU ZASSHI

    YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 71 (6), 587-590, 1951

    The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

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