Phospholipase A2 from Naja nigricollis and Inhibitory Activity of Extracts from Commiphora africana (A. Rich.) Engl. (Burseraceae)

Snakebite envenoming is a potentially life-threatening disease that typically results from the injection of a mixture of different toxins following the bite of a venomous snake. It is a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries with about 5.4 million snake bites occurring each year, resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of envenoming around the world leading to over 140,000 deaths and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities each year with most occurring in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 1 Thus, snake envenomation has been included in the list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and formally listed as a highest priority neglected tropical disease. 1 The highest incidence of snakebite in Africa occurs in the West African savanna region. In this region, saw-scaled or carpet vipers, spitting cobras and puff adders are common causes of serious envenoming. 2,3 Naja nigricollis or the black-necked spitting cobra is a widely distributed venomous snake species of the family Elapidae. 4 It is one of the most important snakes associated with envenoming in Nigeria. 5 Snake venoms are complicated mixtures generally consisting of phospholipase A2s, metalloproteases, C-lectins, serine proteases, L-amino acid oxidases, disintegrins and a few other