| Abstrakt: |
Study was conducted to assess the effects of Conus species venom on histological alterations in brain, heart, kidney and liver of mice. The crude protein content venom of three species of Conus was partially purified by DEAE Cellulose anion exchange chromatography using a stepwise gradient of 0.1-1.0 M NaCl and 10 fractions each of 15 mL, F1 – F10 were collected. The crude venom was found to be lethal for two fractions in Conus betulinus, three fractions in Conus inscriptus and three in Conus monile at 0.1 mL dose when injected intra-peritoneal to mice upon envenomation. The brain, heart, kidney and liver were removed carefully and studies for tissue histology. Autopsy of test mice that died upon envenomation revealed the impact of venom on the brain, heart, liver and kidney. The results of the histopathological observations indicated that the toxins of the three Conus species had adverse effects on the brain, heart, liver and kidney of mice and they have proved to be Cardiotoxic, Neurotoxic, Nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic. The histopathological changes in the visceral organs of mice injected with the venom of C. betulinus, C. inscriptus and C. monile revealed that, the venom had similar deleterious effects on the organs of mice viz. brain, heart, kidney and liver irrespective of the nature of its purity. It is concluded that the Conus venom extract has vital effects on cellular structures of important organ/ tissues of mice on intra-peritoneal injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
