Asian Cobras: Venom Evolution, Composition, Pharmacology and Treatment

This book comprehensively explores Asian Cobras, covering their evolutionary history, geographic distribution, venom characteristics, pathophysiology of envenomation, and treatment strategies. The introductory chapters focus on venomous snakes, placing particular emphasis on cobras and the substantial impact of snake envenomation in Asia, where it is recognized as a neglected tropical disease. The venom delivery system, including glands, dentition, and fangs, is explored in detail. The book also explores their appearance, behavior, habitat, feeding, and mating habits, along with their geographic distribution across Asia. Further, the chapters examine the venom composition of different cobra species, highlighting the variations within and between species as well as across geographic regions, supported by advanced biochemical and proteomic analyses. The medical consequences of cobra envenomation are examined, focusing on clinical manifestations such as neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and other serious complications, while emphasizing the role of venom variability in determining the severity of envenomation.

Key Features:

• Offers an in-depth overview of the evolution, taxonomy, and ecology of Asiatic cobras
• Explores the variability in cobra venom composition across different species and geographic regions, supported by cutting-edge biochemical, proteomic, and transcriptomic research
• Highlights the clinical manifestations of cobra envenomation, including neurotoxicity and cytotoxicity, and emphasizes the pathophysiological differences among cobra species
• Reviews the latest approaches in treating cobra envenomation, including the use of antivenoms and drug therapies
• Stresses the importance of public education, government initiatives, and NGOs in addressing cobra envenomation as a neglected tropical disease

This book is a valuable source for researchers of toxinology, biochemistry, biotechnology, and biomedical sciences.

Prof. Ashis Kumar Mukherjee is currently serving as the Director of the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (I.A.S.S.T.), Guwahati. He completed his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University in 1992, his Ph.D. in 1998 on Indian cobra and Russell's viper venoms from the Department of Biochemistry, Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan University, and his D.Sc. in Biotechnology from Calcutta University in 2017, focusing on snake venom phospholipase A2 and protease enzymes. With more than 30 years of research experience in characterizing snake and scorpion venom toxins, his current research interests include proteomic analysis of snake and scorpion venoms, pharmacological re-assessment of medicinal plants used against snakebite and scorpion stings, quality assessment of commercial antivenoms, and cardiovascular and anticancer drug discovery from natural resources, including snake and scorpion venoms. Prof. Mukherjee has received several awards and medals for his academic and research achievements, including the prestigious Visitor's Award for Research in Basic and Applied Sciences from the Honorable President of India in 2018. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, U.K., the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology, Kolkata, India, the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore, the National Academy of Science, India, Prayagraj, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He has published over 175 research articles in peer-reviewed international and national journals, as well as book chapters and review articles. Additionally, he serves as a task force member for the D.B.T., I.C.M.R., and WHO on the prevention and treatment of snakebite envenoming.

Dr. Bhargab Kalita is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Amrita Research Center, Faridabad. He completed his M.Sc. in Biotechnology from St. Anthony's College in 2013 and earned his Ph.D. in 2019 from Tezpur University, specializing in the proteomics and antivenomics of Russell's viper venoms. With over five years of experience in venom research, Dr. Kalita has published more than 30 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals.