A NEUROTOXIN ISOLATED AND PURIFIED FROM THE VENOM OF NAJA NAJA (INDIAN COBRA) ENVISAGED AS A POTENT THERAPEUTIC TOOL TO TREAT MOVEMENT DISORDERS

Naja Naja (Indian cobra) venom essentially contains a neurotoxin and group of enzymes. In the present study, a neurotoxin from the venom of elapid snake Naja naja (Indian cobra) was isolated and purified to homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) method on Mono-Q HR-5/5 column. The molecular weight of the toxin was 7 kDa as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and LD50 was 0.25 mg/kg body weight in mice. Further, the mode of action of purified toxin was investigated, the toxin inhibited acetylcholine contractile responses of frog rectus abdominis muscle acting on nicotinic receptors. At higher concentration, the toxin abolished acetylcholine sensitivity and produced an irreversible neuromuscular blockade. These results demonstrate that a purified neurotoxin isolated from Naja naja (Indian cobra) venom blocks the neuromuscular transmission at postsynaptic level. Thus, Naja naja neurotoxin is envisaged as a potent therapeutic tool alternative to botulinum neurotoxin in the treatment and management of painful neuromuscular movement disorders.