Objectives: This study aimed to assess the antibacterial activity of the crude venom of Pseudocerastes persicus against some Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Methods: The susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and E. coli O157:H7 to the crude venom of Pseudocerastes persicus was investigated at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. Standard antibiotic disks were utilized as positive controls. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA was determined through the dilution method (160-1.25 μg/ml). These MIC values were compared with those of conventional drugs such as streptomycin (25 μg), tetracycline (30 μg), and neomycin (25 μg). Results: The crude venom exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7. It displayed moderate effects on Salmonella typhimurium but showed no significant impact on Bacillus subtilis. The MIC values against these bacteria ranged from 160 to 80 μg/ml. Conclusion: The venom from Pseudocerastes persicus demonstrates antibacterial properties and shows potential therapeutic value. Further investigations involving fractionation are necessary to fully explore its therapeutic potential.

Keywords