STUDIES ON EFFICACY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST THE LETHALITY OF NAJA NAJA SNAKE ENVENOMATION

Abstract

Author(s): Rathnakar Reddi K.V.N, Suman Joshi D.S.D, Satya Prasad M, Krishna Satya A*

Chloroform and aqueous extracts of the selected medicinal plant were evaluated for qualitative phytochemical analysis and inhibiting property of (toxic) lethal factors like PLA2, coagulant activity, proteolytic activity and acetylcholine esterase activity of venom. Many of the extracts under this study exhibited significant inhibitory properties of venom components. (Aqueous and chloroform extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia effectively inhibited the PLA2 activity of Naja naja up to 87 and 85%). Proteolytic activity induced by venom of Naja naja was inhibited up to 63% and 57 % by the aqueous extracts of Antidesma bunius and Sida acuta. Serum coagulation of the venom was inhibited by Commelina bengalensis, Antidesma bunius and many others while Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase was exhibited by chloroform extracts of Antidesma bunius (67%) and aqueous extract of Jatropha gossypifolia (72%) Some of the plants showed promising antivenom potential by inhibiting various in vitro activities of venom. The extracts of Antidesma bunius and Calyopteris floribunda showed good inhibition of venom pathological activities. Further investigation on the identification and characterization of the compounds responsible for the antivenom properties has to be done which can revolutionize the treatment of snake bite.