BackgroundSnakebites are considered a neglected tropical disease that affects thousands of people worldwide. Although antivenom is the only treatment available, it is associated with several side effects. As an alternative, plants have been extensively studied in order to obtain an alternative treatment. In folk medicine, Azima tetracantha Lam. is usually used to treat snakebites. The present study aims to provide a scientific explanation for the use of this plant against snakebite. The extracts of shade dried leaves of A. tetracantha were tested for in vitro inhibitory activity on toxic venom enzymes like phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, acetylcholinesterase, hyaluronidase etc. from Bungarus caeruleus and Vipera russelli venoms.ResultsThe ethylacetate extract rendered a significant inhibitory effect on the phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, phospholipase A2 and acetylcholinesterase enzymes.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that ethylacetate extract of A. tetracantha leaves possesses compounds that inhibit the activity of toxic enzymes from Bungarus caeruleus and Vipera russelli venom. Further pharmacological and in vivo studies would provide evidence that this substance may lead to a potential treatment against these venoms.
Vegetable amaranth is one of the popular leafy vegetable that occupies a prominent place in India owing to its high nutritive value and fast growing ability. The presence of considerable genetic variability in the amaranth along with very high phenotypic plasticity demands the development of stable genotypes to secure sustainable production. The present research was carried out to quantify the effect of genotype x environment interaction on the performance of 30 identified promising genotypes of vegetable amaranth. The experiment was laid out in the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at three locations viz., Arabhavi, Dharwad and Bagalkot during kharif 2018-19. Stability analysis was done as per the linear regression model described by Eberhart and Russell [1] that measures the genotypic response to changing environments. Variance due to environment + (genotype x environment) was significant for four of the studied traits viz., fresh green yield per hectare, fresh green yield per plant, plant height and leaf length which specified the existence of noteworthy interaction between the genotypes and the environmental conditions. The accessions, VA-16, CO-1, IC-553719 and IC-469645 have been identified as the high yielding stable genotypes for fresh green yield. Stable accessions for plant height include IC-536714, IC-541407, Arka amaranth, IC-469579 and IC-553719 and for leaf length were CO-1, IC-550143, IC-551472, IC-536714 and IC-469722. Further, some stable accessions for yield and its attributes were indicated that can be, commercialised or used in future breeding programs.
The neurotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus caeruleus causes a neuromuscular blockade on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation. Neuromuscular blockade produced by d-tubocurarine on acetylcholine-induced muscle twitch response in an isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation was reversed to normal muscle twitch response in presence of neostigmine. Whereas the purified neurotoxin produced an irreversible neuromuscular blockade in presence of the same strength of neostigmine. As it is already known, botulinum toxin, which also brings about neuromuscular blockade, is effectively used as a drug in the treatment of painful movement disorders. Since the purified toxin also causes paralysis of the muscle, we propose its possible efficacy in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders
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