Preclinical evaluation of small molecule inhibitors as early intervention therapeutics against Russell’s viper envenoming in India

Abstract

Snakebites are problematic in many developing regions, including India, where over half of global snakebite deaths occur. Antivenoms are currently the only licensed treatment for snakebites. However, their use causes several challenges, most notably geographical limitations in efficacy and adverse side effects. Therefore, therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. Recently, several studies have evaluated small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and highlighted their promise as safe and effective alternatives to antivenoms. We investigate their potential use against Indian snakes, particularly Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), responsible for over half of India’s snakebite cases. Here, we explored the effectiveness of two phase-2-approved SMIs in countering the diverse and variable toxicities of D. russelii from across India. The phospholipase inhibitor varespladib and the metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat, individually or in combination, effectively counter the toxicities of D. russelii venoms in vitro. Specific drug efficacy varies across geographic regions. These SMIs and their combination prevent lethality caused by the pan-Indian D. russelii, even in rescue experiments where treatment is delayed, in mice. Our findings support the potential use of SMIs as effective, affordable, and accessible future therapies for treating bites from the world’s most medically important snake species. Rudresha et al. evaluated small molecule inhibitors as early intervention therapeutics against Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming. Varespladib and marimastat effectively neutralise the toxicities of pan-Indian Daboia russelii venom in vitro and in vivo, including with delayed treatment. Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) causes over half the snakebite cases in India. Animal-derived antivenoms have some limitations so we investigated alternative snakebite treatments. We found that two repurposed drugs, which previously entered phase III clinical trials for other indications, called varespladib and marimastat, could prevent the lethal effects of D. russelii venom from various regions across India. Both drugs, used individually or in combination, effectively neutralised the venom and fully protected mice from lethal venom effects, even if administration was delayed. Our findings suggest that these drugs could be an effective alternative treatment for snakebite and reduce the impact of D. russelii across the Indian subcontinent.

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