Anti‐snake venom properties of Schizolobium parahyba (Caesalpinoideae) aqueous leaves extract

Abstract

Many medicinal plants have been recommended for the treatment of snakebites. The aqueous extracts prepared from the leaves of Schizolobium parahyba (a plant found in Mata Atlantica in Southeastern Brazil) were assayed for their ability to inhibit some enzymatic and biological activities induced by Bothrops pauloensis and Crotalus durissus terrificus venoms as well as by their isolated toxins neuwiedase (metalloproteinase), BnSP-7 (basic Lys49 PLA(2)) and CB (PLA(2) from crotoxin complex). Phospholipase A(2), coagulant, fibrinogenolytic, hemorrhagic and myotoxic activities induced by B. pauloensis and C. d. terrificus venoms, as well as by their isolated toxins were significantly inhibited when different amounts of S. parahyba were incubated previously with these venoms and toxins before assays. However, when S. parahyba was administered at the same route as the venoms or toxins injections, the tissue local damage, such as hemorrhage and myotoxicity was only partially inhibited. The study also evaluated the inhibitory effect of S. parahyba upon the spreading of venom proteins from the injected area into the systemic circulation. The neutralization of systemic alterations induced by i.m. injection of B. pauloensis venom was evaluated by measuring platelet and plasma fibrinogen levels which were significantly maintained when S. parahyba extract inoculation occurred at the same route after B. pauloensis venom injection. In conclusion, the observations confirmed that the aqueous extract of S. parahyba possesses potent snake venom neutralizing properties. It may be used as an alternative treatment to serum therapy and as a rich source of potential inhibitors of toxins involved in several physiopathological human and animal diseases.

Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

“…The current contribution shows that Randia aculeata protects against this event, which is why we infer that one of the plant's effects could be avoiding hemorrhages otherwise caused by snake venom, as has been demonstrated by employing other vegetal species (20)(21)(22)(23). It is also possible that this plant can partially neutralize myotoxic effects caused by some snake venoms, which are caused by phospholipase A 2 , metalloproteases and crotoxins (18,24). It has been proven that some plants can neutralize these toxins in vitro (23,25).…”

Clotting and fibrinogenolysis inhibition by essential oils from species of the Asteraceae family

“…Venoms generally produce local effects such as hemorrhage, necrosis, edema and intense pain, and systemic effects such as bleeding disorders, cardiovascular shock and acute renal failure 1 . Snake venoms present different actions that depend on the specific combinations of their components, such as phospholipases A2, serineproteases, metalloproteinases, hyaluronidases and L-amino acid oxidases 2 . Annually, about 40,000 people die of snakebites worldwide, including about 25,000 in India, 10,000 in the United States and the rest in other countries 3 .…”

“…Proteases (serine and metalloproteinases) are the principal enzymes responsible for these activities, being involved in the induction of necrosis and hemorrhage 2,8,10,11,12,13 . 13 .…”

Acute Kidney Injury Caused by <i>Bothrops</i> Snake Venom

“…Brazilian researchers have recently assessed the effects of a regional popular medicine against snake venom which is commonly used in the central region to treat snakebites [58,59]. They evaluated the effect of the administration of Schizolobium parahyba (Fabaceae) infusion and its fractions against the pharmacological and toxic activity of Bothrops venom in rats.…”

“…This native plant from the Brazilian forest, popularly known as guapuruvú, was effective in protecting against some of the B. alternatus and B. moojeni venom-induced enzymatic and biological activities. Animal lethality was reduced to zero and the venom hemolytic, hemorrhagic and coagulation system effects were attenuated [58,59]. Studies aiming at Brazilian forest phytotherapy are a sustainable research choice.…”