Anti-snake venom and methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata: a multipronged strategy to neutralize Naja naja venom acetylcholinesterase and hyaluronidase

Andrographolide, diterpenoid constituent of Andrographis paniculata: Review on botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis, and pharmacology

Andrographispaniculata (kalmegh) is also known as "king of bitters", is an herbaceous plant belongs to family Acanthaceae. The therapeutic effect is due to presence of diterpenoid lactone derivatives of A. paniculata mainly andrographolide. The main purpose of this review includes detailed (past and present) study of A. paniculata and its most important component andrographolide a diterpenoid lactone with respect to its botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis and pharmacological effects i.e., therapeutic benefits. In reference to the search, we also compiled variety of dosage forms available, which are made up of A. paniculata extract and Andrographolide such as tablets and capsules. This review also discusses reported methods of extraction of phytoconstituents, pharmacokinetics of main components, their molecular docking analysis data and main therapeutic applications with their proposed mechanism of actions in various diseases. According to data collected, A. paniculata is becoming more and more valuable as a therapeutic herb.

Augmented rescue of macroglobulins by supplementation of anti-snake venom with methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata in Naja naja envenomation

Proteins of the macroglobulin family are prime targets of venom enzymes in snake bite. A massive reduction in the active concentration of these multifunctional proteins in snake bite, makes the living system vulnerable to dysregulation. This study investigates the ability of Indian polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV), methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata (MAP) and their combination in rescuing human alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2MG) and its homologues in rat plasma, from inactivation by Naja naja (N.N) venom enzymes. In-vitro experiments were conducted with heparinized human plasma and in-vivo experiments with female Wistar rats. Along with appropriate controls, there were 3 test groups in in-vitro and 8 test groups in in-vivo experiments. The in-vitro test groups were exposed to N.N venom for zero, 30 or 90 min prior to incubation with ASV or MAP or reduced ASV supplemented with MAP and incubated for 16 h at 37 °C. Chymotrypsin-bound esterase (CTBE) activity of A2MG was estimated. Rats were administered the venom intramuscularly and treated with ASV/MAP/ASV + MAP. CTBE activity of macroglobulin homologues was measured on day 1, 7 and 14. Survival of animals was noted. In human plasma, addition of ASV or MAP or ASV + MAP prevented loss of A2MG activity maximally to the extent of 88–100% (p = 0.001). In rats, reduced concentration of ASV supplemented with MAP showed complete rescue of macroglobulin homologues and 90% survival. The compulsive evidence from this study, underscores the merits of using this multipronged strategy in rescuing the macroglobulins and improving survival in envenomation due to N.N.

Evaluation of the merit of the methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata to supplement anti-snake venom in reversing secondary hemostatic abnormalities induced by Naja naja venom

Increasing evidence suggests a sizable involvement of hemotoxins in the morbidity associated with envenomation by the Indian spectacled cobra, Naja naja (N.N). This study investigates the ability of Indian polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV), methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata (MAP) and their combination in reversing the hemostatic abnormalities, viz. activated partial thromboplastin time(aPTT), prothrombin time(PT) and thrombin time(TT) in citrated plasma. These parameters were assessed in 2 groups of experiments. Group 1: Without the prior incubation of plasma with venom and Group 2: With prior incubation of plasma with venom for 90 min at 37°C. Venom caused significant (p < 0.001) prolongation in aPTT (175%), PT (49%) and TT (34%) in Group 1 and ASV could completely bring them back to normal. MAP showed a concentration-dependent reversal in aPTT, normalization of PT and prolongation of TT. When low concentration of ASV was supplemented with MAP, their combined effect in normalizing aPTT and PT improved by 37% and 26% respectively when compared to ASV alone. In Group 2, venom caused significant (p < 0.001) prolongation in aPTT (231%), PT (312%) and TT (245%). ASV had limited effect in reversing aPTT (52%), TT (31%) but completely normalized PT. MAP was marginally effective in reversing the prolonged aPTT and PT but caused further prolongation of TT. Combination of ASV and MAP was more effective than ASV alone in reversing venom-induced increase in aPTT (52%) and PT (29%). The study proved that, a drastic reduction of ASV by 70%, could be effectively supplemented by MAP in combating hemostatic abnormalities induced by NN venom.