Use of erythrocyte hemolysis kinetics in the purification of complex cardiotoxin mixtures.

A human erythrocyte hemolysis kinetic method provides a useful way to follow the purification of cobra venom cardiotoxins or other hemolytic factors. Initial rates of hemolysis, measured as hemoglobin released with time for the separated cardiotoxins from the venom of the Thailand cobra Naja naja siamensis, vary over a greater range than do other commonly used measures of their biological activity. Recovery of the hemolytic activity of the gross cardiotoxin fraction in the subsequently separated fractions has been demonstrated. The method employs submilligram quantities of mixed or purified cardiotoxins.