Chemical Studies on the Venom of Formosan Habu (Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus CANTOR). I: Basic Substance in the Venom

The basic substance in the venom of Formosan serpent, Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus CANTOR, was isolated as a picrate which crystallized from water as yellow needles, browning gradually at 238-239° and decomposing at 247-248° with effervescence. Its analytical values corresponded to those of spermine picrate, C10H26N4·4C6H3O7N3, and no depression of the decomposition point was observed on admixture. Its hydrochloride crystallized as needle or scaly crystals, gradually browning at above 280° and decomposing at 310-311°. Paper chromatogram of the hydrochloride gave the same Rf value as that of spermine hydrochloride while its paper electrophoresis (phosphate buffer of pH 6.1) showed the same rate of migration as that of spermine hydrochloride, moving to the cathode side. From these results, the basic substance in the Formosan serpent venom was determined as spermine. The content of spermine, calculated from the yield of its picrate is 6.6% of the dried venom or 2.1% of the fresh venom, calculated as the free base. The extremely high content of this substance should be worthy of note.