Review Paper:
Snake venom: An
emerging anticancer agent
Jhade Sandeep Kumar, Gupta Ayushi and Shrivastava Rahul
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(7); 212-221;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/207rjbt2120221; (2025)
Abstract
Snake venom consists of different proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates and other bioactive
molecules. They are highly toxic in nature and have been recognized for their lethal
effects for a long back. However recent studies have revealed the enormous therapeutic
potential of snake venom. The crude venom and its enzymatic components including
PLA2, SVMP, SVSP, Lectin, LAAO and disintegrin, exhibit anticancer activity through
cell lysis, gene expression modulation, cytotoxicity and apoptosis.
This review discusses the anticancer properties of various components of snake venom.
Although venom isolation, purification and safety concerns are a challenge, ongoing
research shows that snake venom holds great promise for the development of innovative
and effective anticancer treatments, requiring further research and clinical trials
to combat this disease.
