Received: March 28, 2005, Accepted: May 6, 2005, Published online: February 24, 2006.

PRELIMINARY STUDIES WITH A NEUROTOXIN OBTAINED FROM

Bungarus caeruleus VENOM

MIRAJKAR K. K. (1), MORE S. (1), GADAG J. R.

(1) Department of Biochemistry, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India.

ABSTRACT: The neurotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus caeruleus causes a neuromuscular blockade on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation. Neuromuscular blockade produced by d-tubocurarine on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in an isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation was reversed to normal muscle twitch response in presence of neostigmine. Whereas the purified neurotoxin produced an irreversible neuromuscular blockade in presence of the same strength of neostigmine. As it is already known, botulinum toxin, which also brings about neuromuscular blockade, is effectively used as a drug in the treatment of painful movement disorders. Since the purified toxin also causes paralysis of the muscle, we propose its possible efficacy in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders.

KEY WORDS: neuromuscular block, Bungarus caeruleus.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

KIRAN K. MIRAJKAR, Plot no. 1633, Anjaneya Nagar, Opposite Ganesha Temple, Belgaum, 590016, Karnataka, India. Email: drkiran_km@yahoo.com.in