Partial in vitro and in vivo red scorpion venom neutralization activity of Andrographis paniculata

Abstract

Objective:Red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) is the most lethal among all poisonous species of scorpions. Envenoming by Mesobuthus tamulus is quite common along the western coast of India, without any established therapy. Andrographis paniculata is one of the plants that has long been used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of poisoning by animal bites. Hence, the study was planned to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata for the treatment of Mesobuthus tamulus envenoming.Materials and Methods:Ethanolic extract of the plant Andrographis paniculata was obtained using a soxhelet apparatus. Lyophilized venom sample of Mesobuthus tamulus was used. Swiss albino mice weighing 20–30 g were used in the study. Calculation of LD99 of Mesobuthus tamulus venom was performed using Turner's method. Acute toxicity of Mesobuthus tamulus venom and its neutralization by the plant extract at a dose of 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg in vivo was seen. Neutralization of the lethal venom effect of Mesobuthus tamulus by plant extract at the dose of 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg by Alam and Gome's method (in vitro) was also seen.Results:The LD99 of Mesobuthus tamulus venom from this study was determined to be 25.12 μg/g and the LD50 was 15.85 μg/g. In the acute toxicity and in vivo neutralization study, plant extract at the dose of 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg resulted in a mean survival of 62.667 min and 39.333 min, respectively. Neutralization of the lethal venom effect of Mesobuthus tamulus by the plant extract at the dose of 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg by Alam and Gome's method (in vitro) showed a mean survival of 49.667 min and 42.5 min, respectively.Conclusion:The ethanolic extract of Adrographis paniculata has some protective effect against the red scorpion venom in mice but does not offer any survival benefit.

Inhibition of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2and its inflammatory reactions in mice by ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata, a well-known medicinal food

“…[ 21 22 ] It was also shown that A. paniculata extract neutralized the inflammatory and lethal effects induced by Indian Red Scorpion. [ 23 ] Our study further confirms the anti-inflammatory potential of A. paniculata by inhibiting Group IIA sPLA 2 .…”

Anti-scorpion venom activity of Andrographis paniculata: A combined and comparative study with anti-scorpion serum in mice

“…LD 99 of M. tamulus scorpion venom used was calculated by probit analysis and the dose was 25.12 μg/g. [ 16 ]…”

“…[20] LD 99 of M. tamulus venom is found to be 25.12 μg/g. [16] Ethanolic extract of AP in the dose of 1 g/kg was found to have some protective effect against red scorpion venom in mice. [16] Since 1997 ASV is available for clinical use in India.…”

“…Lethal dose (LD 99 is defined as the least amount of venom (dry/weight in grams) injected intraperitoneally to animals to result in death of 99% animals within 24 h. In this study, LD 99 of M. tamulus scorpion venom was calculated by probit analysis and the dose was calculated as 25.12 μg/g used for neutralization purpose. [ 16 ]…”

“…[ 15 ] Also, the ethanolic extracts of the AP have shown some protective effect against the red scorpion venom in mice by partial in vitro and in vivo neutralization activity. [ 16 ]…”