Aqueous Leaf Extract ofJatropha mollissima(Pohl) Bail Decreases Local Effects Induced by Bothropic Venom

Abstract

Snakebites are a serious worldwide public health problem. In Brazil, about 90% of accidents are attributed to snakes from the Bothrops genus. The specific treatment consists of antivenom serum therapy, which has some limitations such as inability to neutralize local effects, difficult access in some regions, risk of immunological reactions, and high cost. Thus, the search for alternative therapies to treat snakebites is relevant. Jatropha mollissima (Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used in folk medicine as an antiophidic remedy. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of the aqueous leaf extract from J. mollissima on local effects induced by Bothrops venoms. High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection analysis and Mass Spectrometry analysis of aqueous leaf extract confirmed the presence of the flavonoids isoschaftoside, schaftoside, isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin. This extract, at 50–200 mg/kg doses administered by intraperitoneal route, showed significant inhibitory potential against local effects induced by Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops jararaca snake venoms. Local skin hemorrhage, local edema, leukocyte migration, and myotoxicity were significantly inhibited by the extract. These results demonstrate that J. mollissima extract possesses inhibitory potential, especially against bothropic venoms, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant in treatment of snakebites.

Creolin® administered by different pathways in rats experimentally poisoned with Bothrops jararaca venom

“…The extremity of the limb was not affected. This change persisted until the end of the clinical evaluation (hour eight), corroborating the local effects reported in the natural and experimental cases of bothropic venom inoculation in animals (YAMASHITA, 2013;GOMES et al, 2016;MOTTA et al, 2017). The animals of the imC and imBj + C groups did not present hemorrhagic or necrotic changes, only progressive edema of the inoculated region until the end of the evaluation.…”

“…Therefore, several substances of animal, vegetal, or mineral origin are commonly used as antiophidics, in an attempt to deliver alternative treatments of low cost that can effectively reverse the symptomatology caused by the venom (GOMES et al, 2016;MOTTA et al, 2017).…”

Chinese Herbal Formula, Huayu Tongbi Fang, Attenuates Inflammatory Proliferation of Rat Synoviocytes Induced by IL-1β by Regulating Proliferation and Differentiation of T Lymphocytes

“…Coptisine can inhibit IL-1β-induced inflammatory response by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway [20]. Moreover, isoschaftoside and jatrorrhizine have been shown to inhibit proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory mediators [21,22]. Epiberberine, coptisine, and p-coumaric acid have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects [23][24][25][26].…”

First Aid and Pre-Hospital Management of Venomous Snakebites

“…A large volume of literature exists on the topic that is too large to review in this article. A recent review focused on their use in Central America [ 35 ] and concluded that ‘available pharmacological data suggest different plant species may target different symptoms of snakebites, such as pain or anxiety, although more studies are needed to further evaluate the scientific basis for their use.’ A study in Brazil [ 36 ] found that extracts of the plant Jatropha mollissima (Euphorbiaceae), used in folk medicine, had efficacy in reducing local effects from snakebites by the Bothrops genus that cause the majority of snakebites in Brazil, and suggested that it be used as an adjuvant to antivenom, which the authors report is less effective in reducing local effects than systemic effects. A study in a mouse model of Bothrops envenomation found that the plant Costus spicatus , used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory medication, reduced pain and inflammation [ 37 ].…”