http://cbm.msoe.edu/includes/pdf/smart2013/Review_Hyaluronidase_Eraser.pdf

The magic glue hyaluronan and its eraser hyaluronidase: a biological overview.

Phospholipase A2 myotoxins from Bothrops snake venoms

Over the past fifty years, hundreds of polyyne compounds have been isolated from nature. These often unstable molecules are found in sources as common as garden vegetables and as obscure as bacterial cultures. Naturally occurring polyynes feature a wide range of structural diversity and display an equally broad array of biological properties. Early synthetic efforts relied primarily on Cu-catalyzed, oxidative acetylenic homo- and heterocoupling reactions to assemble the polyyne framework. The past 25 years, however, have witnessed a renaissance in the field of polyyne natural product synthesis: transition-metal-catalyzed alkynylation reactions and asymmetric transformations have combined to substantially expand access to natural polyynes. This Review recounts these synthetic achievements and also highlights both the natural source(s) and biological relevance for many of these compounds.

Synthesis of Naturally Occurring Polyynes

Plant natural products active against snake bite--the molecular approach.

Flower colour results from the preferential absorption of part of the visible light by one, or several, chemical compound(s) synthesized by higher plants. Since plants cannot ‘see’ their own colours, it is conceivable that the colour signals emerging from flowers are messages interpretable by mammals as well as by birds and insects (Harborne, 1976). Thus colour is most likely a link between animals and plants, as are flower shape, scent and taste. In particular, insects and birds attracted by colour pollinate the flowers and aid the survival of plant species. In contrast to man, some insects, especially bees, can perceive in the near ultraviolet (340–380 nm) as well as in the visible.

Flavonoids and flower colour

Neutralization of lethal and myotoxic activities of south american rattlesnake venom by extracts and constituents of the plant eclipta prostrata (asteraceae)

Inhibition of the myotoxic and hemorrhagic activities of crotalid venoms by Eclipta prostrata (Asteraceae) extracts and constituents

Fifteen compounds, isolated from plants reputed as snake venom antidotes, belonging to different classes of natural products, were shown to protect mice to a significant degree against the lethal action of the venom of Bothrops jararaca snakes. Administration was by the oral route, one hour prior to envenomation. The substances are nitrogen-free, low-molecular-weight compounds for which some kind of biodynamic activity has previously been reported. The fact that they are mostly trivial, naturally-occurring compounds should explain why plants used as snake-bite antidotes are so widely distributed over the plant kingdom.

Pharmacological Screening of Plants Recommended by Folk Medicine as Snake Venom Antidotes; IV. Protection against Jararaca Venom by Isolated Constituents1.

The occurrence of all-trans (-)-14,15-epoxygeranyl-geraniol in Pterodon pubescens Benth. is established, and its prophylactic activity against infection by Schitsosma mansoni demonstrated. Two other diterpenes present in the oil are inactive.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/157/3791/950.full.pdf

Walter B. Mors

Papers

Plant natural products active against snake bite--the molecular approach.

Neutralization of lethal and myotoxic activities of south american rattlesnake venom by extracts and constituents of the plant eclipta prostrata (asteraceae)

Inhibition of the myotoxic and hemorrhagic activities of crotalid venoms by Eclipta prostrata (Asteraceae) extracts and constituents

Pharmacological Screening of Plants Recommended by Folk Medicine as Snake Venom Antidotes; IV. Protection against Jararaca Venom by Isolated Constituents1.

Chemoprophylactic agent in schistosomiasis: 14,15-epoxygeranylgeraniol.