Effects of Bufadienolides from Bufo viridis Toad Venom on Blood Biochemical Compositions and Thromboelastographic Parameters

Abstract

Bufadienolides, cyclopentanophenantrene derivatives that possess similar structures to cardiac glycosides, have been established to reveal cytotoxicity. Their higher concentrations as anticancer means are expected to affect the normal function of the heart, liver, and kidney. In this work, we established the mass ratio of bufadienolides isolated from the venom of Bufo viridis. Arenobufagin, gamabufotalin, telocinobufagin, and marinobufagin were found as the major compounds in the sum. Their effects on biological parameters, used as indicators of the normal functioning of organs, were determined in rabbits. The blood samples, taken on the 10 th and 30 th days following the drug administration, showed these paramaters reaching the control levels for 30 days in all studied doses: 0.15, 0.45, and 0.6 mg/kg. The 0.15 and 0.6 mg/kg doses were established not to cause significant changes in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and the quantities of cholesterol and fasting blood sugar in blood samples. Significant changes were found in quantities of glucose (a reduction) and urea (an increase) on the 10 th day of the administration. But their levels reached the control level for the next 20 days. We observed significant differences in thromboelastographic parameters in mice on the 10 th day after the drug administration in a 0.15 mg/kg dose. In mice, LD50 levels of intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral administrations made 14.5, 110, and 215 mg/kg, respectively. These results enable the suggestion of optimum concentration that does not cause severe damage to the functions of organs.