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

V.20, 2014.

Original paper - ISSN 1678-9199.

 

In vitro screening and evaluation of antivenom phytochemicals from Azima tetracantha Lam. leaves against Bungarus caeruleus and Vipera russelli

 
Bhavya Janardhan1, Vineetha M Shrikanth1, Kiran K Mirajkar2, Sunil S More1*

 

1Department of Biochemistry, Centre for Post Graduate Studies, Jain University, Jayanagar 3rd block, Bangalore, Karnataka 560011, India.

2Department of Biochemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad 580007, India.

 

ABSTRACT

Background

Snakebites are considered a neglected tropical disease that affects thousands of people worldwide. Although antivenom is the only treatment available, it is associated with several side effects. As an alternative, plants have been extensively studied in order to obtain an alternative treatment. In folk medicine, Azima tetracantha Lam. is usually used to treat snakebites. The present study aims to provide a scientific explanation for the use of this plant against snakebite. The extracts of shade dried leaves of A. tetracantha were tested for in vitro inhibitory activity on toxic venom enzymes like phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, acetylcholinesterase, hyaluronidase etc. from Bungarus caeruleus and Vipera russelli venoms.

 

Results

The ethylacetate extract rendered a significant inhibitory effect on the phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, phospholipase A2 and acetylcholinesterase enzymes.

 

Conclusions

The present study suggests that ethylacetate extract of A. tetracantha leaves possesses compounds that inhibit the activity of toxic enzymes from Bungarus caeruleus and Vipera russelli venom. Further pharmacological and in vivo studies would provide evidence that this substance may lead to a potential treatment against these venoms.

 

Key words: Acetylcholinesterase; Azima tetracantha; Antivenom; Krait; Viper; In vitro

 

Received: October 31, 2013; Accepted: March 18, 2014

 

Correspondence: sunilacr@yahoo.co.in

 

Competing interests

The authors declare that there are no competing interests.

 

Authors' contributions

BJ and MSV worked on the extraction and characterization of phytochemicals in the laboratory. SSM is the corresponding author and designer of the research. KKM helped in the characterization of phytochemicals and enzyme assays by providing suitable suggestions and also helped in characterization of plant species. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

 

Ethics committee approval

Venom used in the present study was purchased from a government licensed institute of Tamilnadu state, India, that follows proper procedures regarding animal handling. Doctoral committee of Center for Post Graduate studies and Research, Jain University, Banglore.