Molecular Mechanisms of Paralysis in Snakebite Envenomation: A Multifaceted Landscape

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation poses a persistent global health threat, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of venom components, biochemical pathways leading to paralysis, distribution factors, diversity, and therapeutic interventions. This review integrates historical perspectives with contemporary insights to elucidate the multifaceted landscape of snakebite management. The investigation starts with a study of snake venom and all of its components, highlighting the complex biochemistry that gives them their power. The biochemical cascades that result in paralysis, namely those mediated by Three-Finger Toxins (3FTx) and Phospholipase A2s (PLA2s), are analyzed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying rapid neuromuscular impairment. Variations in species and environmental variables that impact venom dispersal are examined in order to understand the intricacies of envenomation. The review traverses the wide range of snake venoms, acknowledging the influence of geographical variances on venom toxicity and composition. The main focus is on therapeutic techniques, with antivenom therapy being the most important one for more than a century. The mechanisms of action are examined, including possible limits and the creation of venom-antivenom complexes. Beyond antivenom, novel molecular interventions are discussed along with their potential to address the problems with treating snakebite.