Snake venom neutralising factor from the root extract of Emblica officinalis Linn

A Contemporary Exploration of Traditional Indian Snake Envenomation Therapies

Snakebite being a quick progressing serious situation needs immediate and aggressive therapy. Snake venom antiserum is the only approved and effective treatment available, but for selected snake species only. The requirement of trained staff for administration and serum reactions make the therapy complicated. In tropical countries where snakebite incidence is high and healthcare facilities are limited, mortality and morbidities associated with snake envenomation are proportionately high. Traditional compilations of medical practitioners’ personal journals have wealth of plant-based snake venom antidotes. Relatively, very few plants or their extractives have been scientifically investigated for neutralization of snake venom or its components. None of these investigations presents enough evidence to initiate clinical testing of the agents. This review focuses on curating Indian traditional snake envenomation therapies, identifying plants involved and finding relevant evidence across modern literature to neutralize snake venom components. Traditional formulations, their method of preparation and dosing have been discussed along with the investigational approach in modern research and their possible outcomes. A safe and easily administrable small molecule of plant origin that would protect or limit the spread of venom and provide valuable time for the victim to reach the healthcare centre would be a great lifesaver.

Plant-Derived Toxin Inhibitors as Potential Candidates to Complement Antivenom Treatment in Snakebite Envenomations

Snakebite envenomations (SBEs) are a neglected medical condition of global importance that mainly affect the tropical and subtropical regions. Clinical manifestations include pain, edema, hemorrhage, tissue necrosis, and neurotoxic signs, and may evolve to functional loss of the affected limb, acute renal and/or respiratory failure, and even death. The standard treatment for snake envenomations is antivenom, which is produced from the hyperimmunization of animals with snake toxins. The inhibition of the effects of SBEs using natural or synthetic compounds has been suggested as a complementary treatment particularly before admission to hospital for antivenom treatment, since these alternative molecules are also able to inhibit toxins. Biodiversity-derived molecules, namely those extracted from medicinal plants, are promising sources of toxin inhibitors that can minimize the deleterious consequences of SBEs. In this review, we systematically synthesize the literature on plant metabolites that can be used as toxin-inhibiting agents, as well as present the potential mechanisms of action of molecules derived from natural sources. These findings aim to further our understanding of the potential of natural products and provide new lead compounds as auxiliary therapies for SBEs.

Catechin and epicatechin as an adjuvant in the therapy of hemostasis disorders induced by snake venoms

Snake toxins, such as phospholipases A₂ and proteases, are used as research tools to evaluate biological activities and to understand physiopathological processes of natural compounds better. In the present study, the phenolic compounds catechin and epicatechin were incubated with snake venoms to evaluate their inhibition against different substrates. Catechin and epicatechin exerted inhibitions between 20% and 95% on the activity of phospholipases A₂ present in the venom of Bothrops alternatus. In the hemolytic activity, catechin exerted inhibitions between 20% and 25% in all proportions evaluated on the B. jararacussu venom, whereas epicatechin inhibited 20% of the venom activity. Coagulation induced by B. atrox and B. jararacussu venoms was significantly inhibited by catechin and epicatechin, where the time for coagulation was two to three times higher after previous incubation of the venoms with the compounds. The most significant inhibitions for the proteolytic activity on casein were 17% and 27%, respectively, by both compounds. Catechin inhibited serine protease activity induced by B. atrox venom by 64% and epicatechin by 65%. Regarding B. atrox-induced thrombolysis, catechin exerted 40% inhibition and epicatechin around 30%. The fibrinogen proteolysis was completely inhibited by catechin acting on the B. atrox venom in the proportion of 1:1 and by epicatechin on B. jararacussu venom. Catechin and epicatechin showed promising inhibitory action on proteases and phospholipases A₂ . Therefore, these compounds can be explored as an adjuvant for serum therapy or pharmaceutical purposes, once they act on homologous enzymes that are present in humans.

Ethnomedicinal uses of plants for the treatment of snake and scorpion bite in Northern Pakistan

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal plants represent one of the most accessible resources available for snake and scorpion bite among the rural communities of Northern Pakistan. This first ethno-botanical study aimed to document the indigenous knowledge and practices of using plants for snake and scorpion bite disorders in Northern Pakistan.

METHODS

Ethno-medicinal data is documented from 187 informants using semi-structured interviews. The data is analyzed using quantitative ethno-botanical indices of frequency citation (FC) and relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). In addition to this, the ethno-medicinal findings of this survey were compared with 10 previous published studies in order to report novel uses of medicinal plants against snake and scorpion bite disorders.

RESULTS

In total 62 medicinal plants belonging to 40 families are reported against snake and scorpion bite in this study. Our results showed that Asteraceae is the most used family (10 species), dominant life form is herb (48.38%), leaves were the most used plants part (18 Use-reports) and the paste is most used method of administration (22 reports). The range of RFC was 0.08-0.27 about the use of documented species. Compared to previous published studies, 33.87% similarity index while 66.12% novelty index is reported. About 40 plant species are first time reported with medicinal uses against snake and scorpion bite from Northern Pakistan.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents useful traditional knowledge of rural communities for the control of snake and scorpion bite using medicinal plants. The study mainly focused on ethno-medicinal documentation to preserve the valuable traditional knowledge that can be used in future phytochemical and pharmacological studies on medicinal plants of the area.

A randomized ethnomedicinal survey of snakebite treatment in southwestern parts of Bangladesh

Snakebite is the single most important toxin-related injury, causing substantial mortality in many parts of the Africa, Asia and the Americas. Incidence of snakebite is usually recorded in young people engaged in active physical work in rural areas. The various plant parts used to treat snakebite included whole plant, leaves, barks, roots and seeds. Most bites in Bangladesh are recorded between May and October with highest number in June. Lower and upper limbs are most common sites of snakebite, but it may happen in other sites as well. Snake venom (蛇毒 shé dú) has been the cause of innumerable deaths worldwide. However, antiserum does not provide enough protection against venom induced hemorrhage, necrosis, nephrotoxicity and hypersensitivity reactions. Informed consent was obtained from the practitioners prior to interviews. After the survey, it is concluded that the medicinal plants used by tribal medicinal practitioners in Bangladesh for treatment against snakebite are Acyranthes aspera L. (土牛膝 tǔ niú xī), Amaranthus Viridis L. (野莧菜 yě xiàng cài), Asparagus racemosus Willd (總序天冬 zǒng xù tiān dōng) and Emblica officinalis Gaertn (油柑 yóu gān), while the non-tribal communities used 35 plant species among them, most of the plants reported as new species used against snakebite in the belonging family. The plants present a considerable potential for discovery of novel compounds with fewer side effects for treatment of antisnake venom and can, at least in Bangladesh, become a source of affordable and more easily available drugs.

Ethnobotanical survey of folklore plants used in treatment of snakebite in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and collect information from traditional health healers/tribal communities on the use of medicinal plants for treatment of snakebite.

METHODS

The ethno-medicinal study was conducted in 8 villages of the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal in 2012-2013 through questionnaire and personal interviews. Following the method of Martin, information about medicinal plants used in snake bite, precise plant parts used, methods of treatment and administration was enquired from the tribal communities (Santhals, Mundas, Lodhas, Bhumijs, Oraon Kherias) of the region.

RESULTS

The present study enumerates 20 ethnomedicinal plant species belonging to 16 families used by the tribal communities and medicinal healers of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal in treatment of snakebite. Each plant species has been listed alphabetically according to its botanical name, family, vernacular name, part(s) used, mode of preparation/administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of traditional medicinal system among the tribal communities of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal has been highlighted in the present study.