Counteracting effect of glycyrrhizin on the hemostatic abnormalities induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom
Research article published in British journal of pharmacology (2006)
Abstract
1. Envenomation by the snake Bothrops jararaca is typically associated with hemostatic abnormalities including pro- and anticoagulant disturbances. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is a plant-derived thrombin inhibitor that also exhibits in vivo antithrombotic properties. Here, we evaluated the ability of GL to counteract the hemostatic abnormalities promoted by B. jararaca venom. 2. GL inhibited the human fibrinogen clotting (IC50 = approximately 1.0 mg ml(-1); 1.2 mM), H-D-phenylalanyl-L-pipecolyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide dihydrochloride hydrolysis (IC50 = approximately 0.4 mg ml(-1); 0.47 mM) and platelet aggregation (IC50 = approximately 0.28 mg ml(-1); 0.33 mM) induced by B. jararaca venom, in vitro. 3. The in vivo effect of GL was tested in rats using a model of venous thrombosis in which intravenous (i.v.) administration of B. jararaca venom (100 microg kg(-1)) produced in all animals a thrombus with a mean weight of 10.6+/-1.7 mg. 4. Prior administration of GL (180 mg kg(-1)) or antibothropic serum (27 microl kg(-1)) inhibited thrombus formation by 86 and 67%, respectively. Remarkably, co-administration of ineffective doses of GL and antibothropic serum markedly decreased thrombus weight, suggesting a synergistic effect. 5. Co-administration of GL with antibothropic serum abolished venom-induced bleeding. Ex vivo clotting times showed that rat plasma was non-clotting after i.v. administration of B. jararaca venom. Treatment with GL, antibothropic serum or both before venom administration efficiently prevented this abnormality. 6. Altogether, we demonstrate here that GL prevents both in vitro and in vivo venom-induced changes in hemostasis, suggesting a potential antiophidic activity.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Counteracting effect of glycyrrhizin on the hemostatic abnormalities induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study evaluated glycyrrhizin, a plant-derived thrombin inhibitor, for its ability to counteract severe hemostatic abnormalities induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom. The researchers found that glycyrrhizin effectively inhibited venom-induced fibrinogen clotting and platelet aggregation in vitro, while preventing thrombus formation and bleeding in rat models when co-administered with antibothropic serum. While the study examines an exogenous thrombin inhibitor with a mechanism conceptually similar to leech-derived anticoagulants like hirudin, glycyrrhizin is strictly a plant compound tested for antiophidic (antivenom) purposes. Thus, the study lacks any direct relevance to hirudotherapy or the leech secretome.
Citación
Counteracting effect of glycyrrhizin on the hemostatic abnormalities induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom
Assafim M et al. · British journal of pharmacology, 2006
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026