phospholipase A₂

…indirectly inhibit the activity of phospholipase A₂, an enzyme that plays an essential role in the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes; its inhibition by lipocortin-1 underlies part of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids also reduce the synthesis of some proteins that directly mediate the inflammatory response.

…higher proportion of the toxin phospholipase-A2, which works with other toxins in the venom to maximize pain and thus neutralize the threat to the snake. Some researchers have suggested that the adaptation of these snakes to “spit” venom came about specifically to deter attacks from humans.