Bothrops jararacussu venom-induced neuromuscular blockade inhibited by Casearia gossypiosperma Briquet hydroalcoholic extract

Abstract

Abstract:The hydroalcoholic extract of Casearia gossypiosperma Briquet (Flacourtiaceae) was standardized for the first time through quality control procedures including pharmacognostic methods, fingerprint chromatograms, defined amounts of marker substances and physicochemical characteristics. The pharmacological activity of C. gossypiosperma (Cg) hydroalcoholic extract was assayed by a traditional in vitro test, which involved irreversible neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu) venom (60 μg/mL) in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations. Bjssu venom blocked muscle activity for 26 (± 2.0) minutes (n = 6). Cg extract (0.1 mg/mL) induced changes on the baseline muscle activity without impairing the muscle function and inhibited 87.6% (± 1.8) (n = 6) of the Bjssu venom-induced blockade. Both flavonoids (0.624 g%) and polyphenols (4.63 g%) from the extract were spectrophotometrically quantified. Therefore, the present study confirms the antibothropic activity of Cg extract, supporting the ethnomedical use of Casearia sp. in the treatment of snakebite victims.Key words: antibothropic extract, Bothrops jararacussu, Casearia gossypiosperma Briquet, snake venoms. pharmacologically assessed for the first time. Original PaPer The Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical DiseasesIn vivo myotoxic effects and in vitro irreversible neuromuscular blockade effects of crude venom from the snake Bothrops jararacussu are well known pharmacological methods used to study drugs showing antivenom properties (29,30). Thus, the aim of the present study was to verify the capability of Casearia gossypiosperma hydroalcoholic extract to neutralize the neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant Material and ExtractionLeaves from an adult C. gossypiosperma Briquet (Cg) tree were collected from the herbarium at the Higher School of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ) of the University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, in January 2006; the species was previously identified in 1988 (protocol IAC 38115). Cg leaves were dried at 35°C to 40°C for 24 hours. The dried leaves were then powdered, ground in a mill, macerated (200 g, during five days) in 2 L of 70% ethanol and the suspension was percolated (under protection against light) at 20 drops/minute, resulting in a 10% (m/v) hydroalcoholic extract. Quality Control Assays of the Medicinal Plants Ash and humidity testsTo observe elementary physical and chemical characteristics, Cg powder was subjected to ash and humidity tests (31). Briefly, 100 g of the specimen powder were placed in six calibrated melting pots, which were warmed until total carbonization of the powders. The melting pots were kept at 650°C and the ashes were then weighed. Results are expressed as grams of ashes/100 g of sample. The humidity test was performed by placing 1 g of specimen powder in six calibrated porcelain capsules, which were heated at 105ºC during four hours and then weighed. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)Aliquots...

Effects of Vochysia haenkeana extract on the neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararaca venom on chick biventer cervicis preparation in vitro

“…Ex Schult. [22], but few plants have been studied by its ability in counteracting the toxic effects after the start of venom action, like as Casearia gossypiosperma Briquet [23,24], Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Oken. [25] and Terminalia fagifolia Mart.…”

Evaluation of the Safety of Three Phenolic Compounds from <i>Dipteryx alata</i> Vogel with Antiophidian Potential

“…Hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves from Casearia gossypiosperma [53] and Vellozia flavicans [54] were validated using the same post-venom model. In all cases, the initial damage induced by the crude Bjssu venom was irreversible, but the damage progression was controlled, conferring an anti-bothropic property to those plants.…”

Vellozia flavicans Mart. ex Schult. hydroalcoholic extract inhibits the neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom

“…The main constituents of V. flavicans very closely reproduce the results obtained with the hydroalcoholic extract of Casearia sylvestris Sw. [ 42 ] or Casearia gossypiosperma Briq. [ 43 ], which are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols. However, the results were not similar with those observed for Dipteryx alata , which is rich in triterpenoids [ 26 , 44 ]; Mikania laevigata , which is rich in coumarin [ 45 ] ; Plathymenia reticulata Benth., which is rich in tannins [ 46 ]; or Camellia sinensis , which is rich in catechins [ 36 ].…”

“…The mechanism of the in vitro , but not the in vivo , neuromuscular paralysis caused by B. jararacussu venom was recently demonstrated [ 36 ]. There is a direct relationship between the cell damage level and the percentage of twitch tension response [ 43 ].…”