Interaction of cholinesterase inhibitors with snake venom acetylcholinesterase from snake species of Southern Africa.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is present in the venom of Elapid snakes, except the Mambas. Although the physiological role of AChE in snake venom is uncertain, it may contribute to acute neuromuscular paralysis following envenomation. With the aim of repurposing clinically used drugs for snakebite envenoming, this study investigated the inhibition of AChE from snake species of Southern Africa. Hemachatus haemachatus and Naja nivea venom presented with high AChE activity, which was inhibited by tacrine, galantamine and donepezil with IC50 values ranging from 0.49 to 3.73 μM.