Journal of Zoological Research Volume 1, Issue 1, 2017, PP 1-9 Journal of Zoological Research V1 ● I1 ● 2017 1 Zoo Therapeutic uses of Snake Body Parts in Folk & Traditional Medicine Sanghamitra Mukherjee 1 , Antony Gomes 2 , Subir Chandra Dasgupta 1 1 Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, India. 2 UGC Emeritus Professor, Laboratory of Toxinology & experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, India. *Corresponding Author: Subir Chandra Dasgupta, Sanghamitra Mukherjee, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, India. INTRODUCTION The biological resources are use i n traditional and folk medicine since ancient times due to cost effectiveness, easy availability. Animal and its body parts is an important ingredient in traditional treatment (Alves and Alves 2011). World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated 80% of the global rural health population depends upon traditional medicine for their healthcare needs. In Latin America 584 species of animals are used in traditional medicinal practices (Alves et al., 2007). In India 15–20% of animal based products are used in Ayurveda, and 200 drugs from animal origin are used in the Unani medicinal system (Mahawar & Jaroli , 2008). In India, approximately 109 mammalian species are use for therapeutic purposes. Epidemiological survey regarding the use of animal products in treatment of various ailments states 38.5% are used in rheumatic and other pains, gastric problems (20.2 %), skin related problems (14.7%), impotency (18.4%,), aphrodisiac (14.7%) and contraception (11.5%) (Mahawar & Jaroli, 2007; Mahawar & Jaroli, 2008) (Table1). Animals have been playing a significant role in healing processes, folk rituals, and religious practices of peoples globally. In traditional Chinese medicine more than 1500 animal species have been documented to be of some therapeutic use. More than half of the modern drugs are of biological sources and out of that, 252 (8.7%) chemicals are from animal sources (Chakravorty et al., 2011). India has wide bio- geographical variation including diverse flora and fauna, and different tribal and ethnic communities. This rich diversity of traditional life styles and biological resources in the different states has permitted gathering a wealth of ethno zoological knowledge. Zoo Therapeutic use of Snake and its Body Parts in Folk and Traditional Medicine Snake and its body parts are used in folk and traditional medicines globally lacking scientific evidence. Increase in ethno–ophiology studies are warranted in this field to establish the medicinal ABSTRACT Search for bioactive molecules from natural products emerged as new arena of research from the onset of 19th century. Some of the molecules proved effective in the field of biomedical application, especially in alleviating human pain and suffering. Natural products despite being an alternative source of drug discovery there is shortage of lead compounds from it getting into pharmaceutical research probably because of lack of compatibility between the source and high-throughput screening. Natural products are classified into two major classes depending upon its source of origin: plant and animal based natural product. Snakes and its body parts (blood, meat, fat, bile, venom, shed skin) have been used in folk and ethno medicine of various cultures since ancient time for zoo therapeutic purposes. This present review aims to report the folk and traditional medicinal uses of snake and its body part. Keywords: Snake meat, Snake fat, Snake bile , Snake bone, Snake oil, Snake shed skin, Zoo therapeutic application;