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Elsevier

Snake Venom and Human Health

Translating Nature’s Toxins into Therapeutics

  • 1st Edition - November 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Subir Chandra Dasgupta, Arup Giri, Dibakar Chakrabarty
  • Language: English

Snake Venom and Human Health: Translating Nature’s Toxins into Therapeutics offers a detailed exploration of the burgeoning field of venom-derived therapeutics. As biomedical r… Read more

Description

Snake Venom and Human Health: Translating Nature’s Toxins into Therapeutics offers a detailed exploration of the burgeoning field of venom-derived therapeutics. As biomedical research continues to uncover potential applications of snake venom, this book serves as an essential resource that bridges fundamental science and clinical application and examines how these potent biological substances are being transformed into innovative treatments for a wide array of health conditions, including cancer, infectious and parasitic diseases, cardiovascular issues, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Starting with an overview of venom classification and structural insights, the book is organized into detailed chapters that cover the biochemical basis of snake venom, its therapeutic applications, and the emerging technologies supporting its development. Subsequent chapters explore specific medical applications—from anticancer and antimicrobial therapies to treatments for cardiovascular, neurological, dermatological, and metabolic disorders. It goes on to explore innovative topics as well as the regulatory and sustainability issues and ongoing challenges—such as safety concerns, ethical considerations, and scalability that surrounding venom research.

Enriched by contributions from international experts in the field, Snake Venom and Human Health aims to provide researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals a thorough understanding of both the scientific foundations and the translational aspects of venom-based therapeutics.

Key features

  • Offers a detailed exploration of the therapeutic potential of snake venom, highlighting its applications in treating cancer, antimicrobial resistance, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases
  • Provides practical guidance on developing venom-based therapeutics, addressing challenges in extraction, safety testing, and clinical implementation
  • Examines emerging trends such as bioengineering, nanotechnology, and artificial synthesis, and offers future-oriented perspectives and policy strategies to accelerate venom-based drug development
  • Features insights from leading experts on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research on venom’s role in combating antimicrobial resistance and advancing novel medical treatments

Readership

Researchers and academics in fields such as pharmacology, toxicology (specifically toxinology), molecular biology, and biochemistry engaged in the study of the therapeutic potential of animal toxins such as snake venom; industry professionals in drug development, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical science

Table of contents

1. Biochemical Classification and Structural Insights into Snake Venom Proteins and Peptides

2. Snake Venom in Oncology: Breakthroughs in Anticancer Therapies

3. Fighting Infections with Snake Venom: Antimicrobial Promise in a Multidrug-Resistant Era

4. Snake Venom as a Weapon Against Parasitic Infections: A New Frontier

5. Snake Venom and Cardiovascular Health: From Clot Prevention to Vascular Repair

6. Healing with Venom: Dermatological Applications of Snake-Derived Molecules

7. Managing Diabetes and Thrombosis with Snake Venom-Derived Therapies

8. Neuroprotective Peptides in Snake Venom: A Ray of Hope for Neurodegenerative Diseases

9. Bone Healing and Pain Relief: Unlocking Snake Venom's Potential

10. Venom in Immunotherapy: Treating Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders

11. Advancing Nanomedicine Based Antivenom Therapies: Innovations and Challenges in Neutralizing Snake Venom

12. Regulatory, Ethical, and Sustainability Challenges in Venom-Based Drug Development

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: November 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

SD

Subir Chandra Dasgupta

Professor Subir Chandra Dasgupta is an Honorary Emeritus Professor at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira. He has over 38 years of distinguished experience in zoology. He retired in 2023 as Professor and Head of Zoology at Maulana Azad College, Kolkata. Specializing in cytogenetics and venom research, he earned his PhD from Calcutta University with a thesis on Indian Black Scorpion venom. Professor Dasgupta is renowned for pioneering studies on the biochemical and pharmacological properties of snake venoms, contributing to anti-venom therapies and novel pharmaceuticals. He has published over 50 research articles, three books, and holds one international and one national patent. His work has been featured on Discovery Channel and BBC World News. A dedicated mentor, he has guided 12 PhD students and led major projects funded by UGC, DST, DRDO, and CSIR. He serves on academic boards, is a Fellow of the Zoological Society of Kolkata, and actively promotes zoological research and education in India.
Affiliations and expertise
Honorary Professor Emeritus, Department of Zoology, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, India

AG

Arup Giri

Dr. Arup Giri, M.Sc., Ph.D. is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, Baba Mastnath University, India. He is also serving as the Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Baba Mastnath University, India. Dr. Giri has completed M.Sc. in Zoology from Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, University of Calcutta. For his doctoral research, he has joined DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh, Ladakh UT, India, and received a Ph.D. from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, TN, India in Life Sciences. Dr. Giri has later joined as a postdoctoral ICMR-SRF fellow at DIHAR, Chandigarh, India. He has also worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Science, Arni University, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. His main research interest is on ‘Animal Physiology and Environmental Toxicology.’ A prolific author with 76 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Giri's impact factor of 93.53 underscores the significance of his contributions (Google Scholar citation: 1023; H-index: 19; i10-index: 29). A mentor par excellence, Dr. Giri has guided numerous students in their academic pursuits. With six completed Ph.D. thesis, on-going mentorship for four more, and guided 85 post-graduate students. His supervision has been instrumental in earning accolades, such as the 'Best M.Sc. Dissertation Work' at Sri Sai University, Himachal Pradesh, India. Dr. Giri's influence extends beyond borders, with memberships in esteemed international societies and collaborations. He serves as a reviewer for prestigious journals (Poultry Science Journal, Biological Trace Element Research Journal, Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, RevistaAmbiente&Água, Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances, Frontiers in Analytical Science, Italian Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Biological Rhythm Research, Biomarkers, Science of the Total Environment, Applied Water Science Journal, etc.), enriching the scientific discourse on subjects ranging from trace elements to environmental integration. Beyond academia, Dr. Giri is an ardent advocate for environmental stewardship. His research spanning five published book by Springer and ELSEVIER, 37 book chapters, two training manuals, and two technical bulletins. He received the ‘Best Academician Award’, 'Young Scientist Award,' 'Young Researcher Award,' and 'Best Oral Presentation Award" two times by different prestigious institutes of India.

Affiliations and expertise
Department of Zoology, Baba Mastnath University, India

DC

Dibakar Chakrabarty

Professor Dibakar Chakrabarty is Professor and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus. He earned his PhD from Jadavpur University and is known for his pioneering research on Russell’s viper venom. His extensive studies on venom biochemistry, toxicology, and biomedical applications have led to numerous publications in top journals like Toxicon and Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Notably, his work on novel proteins such as Daboialipase and SPAD-1 has advanced anti-cancer and anti-coagulant therapies. His team was the first to identify anti-coagulant factors in jellyfish toxins and characterize a wound-healing protein from starfish. A prolific author of book chapters and holder of an Indian patent for a novel fibrinolytic activity assay, Professor Chakrabarty currently leads research developing anti-cancer peptides from animal venoms targeting lung and breast cancers. As a mentor and leader, he has established one of India’s premier toxinology laboratories and inspired a new generation of researchers in venom-based therapeutics.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor and Head, Department of Biological Sciences BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, Goa, India