G-Efficacy of tannins from Mimosa pudica and tannic acid in neutralizing cobra (Naja kaouthia) venom

Full text

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis.

V.17, n.1, p.42-48, 2011.

Original paper - ISSN 1678-9199.

Efficacy of tannins from Mimosa pudica and tannic acid in neutralizing cobra (Naja kaouthia) venom

Sia FY (1), Vejayan J (2), Jamuna A (3), Ambu S (1)

(1) International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; (2) School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia; (3) Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abstract: In the present study, the effectiveness of Mimosa pudica tannins (MPT) in neutralizing the lethality of Naja kaouthia venom was compared with commercially derived tannins. Preincubation of MPT with N. kaouthia venom maintained 100% survival of mice after 24 hours. The mouse group in which there was no preincubation, no protection against the effects of the venom was observed. M. pudica tannin was found to be more effective in neutralizing the lethality of N. kaouthia venom when compared to commercial tannic acid. Two protein spots were missing in the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) of the MPT treated mouse indicating the down-regulation of venom proteins. The results from this study indicated that tannins obtained from M. pudica are better than tannic acid in neutralizing the lethality of N. kaouthia venom in vitro. However, further investigations are required to establish that M. pudica has potential for treating N. kaouthia snakebites.

Key words: plant extract, snake venom, therapy, tannin, phospholipase A2.

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: July 28, 2010.

Accepted: October 19, 2010.

Abstract published online: October 22, 2010.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The International Medical University Research Fund BMS 102_2007 (13) and the Malaysian Ministry of Science and Technology (project number 02-02-10-SF0033) provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Joint Committee of the IMU/RC and IMU/EC, International Medical University. The Ethics Committee/IRB reference number is: 4.6/02/2007

CORRESPONDENCE TO

STEPHEN AMBU, International Medical University, 126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Phone: +603 27317291. Fax: +603 86567229. Email: Stephen_ambu@imu.edu.my.