Echis carinatus (Saw-scale viper) is one of the most venomous snakes in Asia and some parts of the Africa with deadly hemotoxic venom. It has been reported that suramin, an anti-trypansomiasis drug, can inhibits the toxic effects of some snake venoms. This study was conducted to evaluate the antagonistic effects of suramin against the venom of the Iranian snake Echis carinatus. Adult albino mice weighing 35±5g were divided into nine groups (A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, D and E) of 6-10 mice. Groups A1 and A2 (protocol A), which received the venom at 7 and 13 mg/kg, succumbed after 169±32 min and 53±16 min, respectively. Groups B1, B2 and B3 (protocol B) were treated with different doses of suramin 15 min after injection of venom. The results show that suramin significantly delayed time to death in groups B1, B2 and B3 compared with groups A1 and A2 (P<0.05). In groups C1 and C2 (Protocol C), venom was pre-incubated with suramin for 15 min prior to injection into animals. The survival times of these two groups were significantly increased when compared to group A2. However, only group C1 in comparison with group A1 had a significantly increased survival time (P<0.05). Group D (protocol D) was treated with suramin 15 min before injection of venom. Time to death in this group increased in comparison to group A2. Group E received suramin alone as a control, and all the animals in this group remained alive. The results of this study showed that a single dose of suramin have a protective role against Echis carinatus venom at least in delaying time to death of envenomed animals. Repeated administration or higher doses of suramin may be able to prevent death caused by the venom.

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