Snake venom constituents: biochemistry and toxicology (Part 1).

Abstract

Complicated and mystifying as the snake envenomation process may appear, the toxic principles of snake venoms are biochemical entities that could be isolated, purified and characterized. In this review, the toxicological process of envenomation and the biochemical basis of venom toxicity are presented for those not directly involved in venom research but who nevertheless have an interest in snake venom poisoning.