Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

Despite use of snake poison in traditional medicine of various countries since ancient times, its medical value became known to medicine at the end of the 19th century. Only after that has begun scientific research of biochemical structure, pharmacological and medical values of snake poison.

The first years of production of snake venom: 

At the end of the 19th century, after detection of medical value of snake poison, its application in pharmaceutical industry as raw materials, in the world there was a need for production of this poison. For this purpose venomous snakes are caught from the wild nature, for receiving their poison are stored in artificial conditions in serpentariums (the place where snakes are stored from the Latin is "serpente" – means the snake).

Due to the fact that, the problem of breeding snakes in artificial conditions has not been solved yet, all over the world snake poison is made only from natural resources.

Today in many countries of the world, in particular, of Australia, India, many Asian countries and the countries of Latin America, including in Russia a large number of serpentariums works.

In the former USSR creation of serpentariums and production of snake poison has for the first time begun in 1932-1934 in the republics of Central Asia and in Russia. It was for this purpose used such species of snakes as the Central Asian cobra, the Central Asian viper, sandy Eph and an ordinary viper. But, at first because from the scientific point of view the technology of keeping of snakes in artificial conditions hasn't been studied, the caught snakes for a short time perished. As a result of intensive hunting for venomous snakes their quantity was reduced in the nature. For this reason in the 1960 in Central Asia types of venomous snakes which poison was used in production have been included in the Red List.

The successful period in production of snake poison in Azerbaijan:

The most successful period of production of snake venom in Azerbaijan covers the 1980-1989-ies. So, in this period from the sale of 3.0-4.0 kg of viper venom has received a high income, produced annually by the Center herpetology.

Catching snakes for the production of snake venom is carried out according with existing legislation and scientifically valid order. On the territory of the whole country, 1800-2000 vipers are caught annually, including the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Karabakh plains. As a rule, 1300-1500 vipers were caught under license in natural areas, and 300-500 - in towns and surrounding areas. As a result of hunting for snakes settlements have been cleared of venomous snakes, thus, safety of people is ensured.

The current state of snake venom production in our country:

In 2009, in order to restore production of scientific activity, research and development center "Zootoxins" by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan was transferred to the ANAS. By decision of ANAS Presidium the Center was transferred to the balance of the Institute of Zoology.

Currently, at the experimental base located in Agsu district Institute of zoology, for the purpose of production of snake poison are carried out scientific and experimental research on protection and cultivation of snakes in artificial conditions.

Measures are being taken to restore production and certification of snake venom. Scientists-herpetologists of institute work on the projects connected with development of innovative technologies of use of venomous snakes.

Snake venom is widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries for production of various therapeutic and preventive medicines;

Azerbaijan has rich diversity of species of the reptile fauna in the South Caucasus. The poisonous snakes occupy a special place among the Herpetofauna. Being economically viable due to their venom, which is a valuable raw material; types of snakes are also dangerous for human health due to the poisonous sting of social importance. Sbake venom is used in manufacturing of various therapeutic and prophylactic drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, blood serums used in snake bites, including cosmetic products for prophylactic use. Currently, new areas of application of the snake venom to continue seek for in the world, including the prospects for the treatment of cancer and AIDS are studied.

Venomous Levantin viper is the mostly spread one in herpetofauna of Azerbaiian. There are 4 types of venomous snakes that less in number and spread over a limited area in the country.

It is required to carry out studies on snake venom in the promising and innovative directions

1. Study modern systematic and ecological state of the fauna of venomous snakes in Azerbaijan;

2. Carry out studies in solution of keeping and breeding the venomous snakes in artificial conditions;

3. Develop innovative technological program for achieve of sustainable use of natural resources of snakes;

4. Study the snake venom and biochemical and pharmacological features of its enzymes, explore their application areas of research, and develop a technology for development of new products.

Material-technical base (serpentary and volyer, laboratory, allowing conduct biochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies) is necessary for scientific-experimental studies in above mentioned directions.

Currently, Stronghold of ANAS Institute of Zoology, locating in Aghsu region, has launched experimental research in keeping and breeding venomous snake types in volyer condition. Institute of Zoology is keen to create a modern lab for snake venom, including biochemical, toxicological and pharmacological investigation of other active substances.

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