In the present study murine hippocampal HT22 cells were employed to investigate the
role of Echis coloratus and Naja nigricollis snake venom on cell death. Monitoring of
the release of the cytoplasmic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture
medium after treatment of the cells with different concentrations (50ug/ml, 100 μg/ml)
from four fractions (F1, F2, F3 and F4) that obtained from each venom after
purification. The time variation (6, 12, 18 and 24 hours) of the LDH concentration in
the medium was used to indicate the total amount of lysed and, hence, the specific
rates of cell death. In the first 6h from treatment of cells with F2( 50 μg/ml ) from
Naja nigricollis venom( which is the most effective fraction in both venoms), LDH
released into cell culture media more than treatment of cells with F3 and crude
venom. Treatment of cells with a concentration of 50ug/ml and 100 μg/ml F3 Naja
nigricollis (after 12h and 24h) snake venom, LDH elevated more than F2 and crude
venom. Otherwise, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was released into cell culture media
by treatment of the cell by 50 μg/ml F3 more than treatment of cells by F4 and crude
venom from Echis coloratus.