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Cashew
Top on the list are: African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa); Cashew (Anacardium
occidentale); Neem tree (Azadirachta indica); Mango (Mangifera indica); Indian x
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 1/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
Several studies have shown that the risk of snakebite to people in the rural region
of tropical countries, where most people engage in agricultural, pastoral, and
other outdoor livelihoods, is moderate to high.
In Nigeria, the Fulani herdsmen are more at risk because of their agro-pastoralist
lifestyle. Their village settlement positions make it more difficult for them to
assess antiserum, the only treatment available for snakebite.
But the usage of snake venom antisera has its own drawbacks. Due to its high cost
and lack of availability of antisera makes it difficult for the rural patients to
access. Further, due to its storage difficulty and short expiry, its use is restricted.
Snake venom antiserum or AVS has administration problem, the exact dosage is
also a current problem. AVS administration is often associated with
hypersensitivity reactions (early and late), which need further medical attention.
There are various medicinal plants, which have been used in folk and traditional
medicines against snakebites especially among the Fulani herdsmen of Northern
Nigeria. But till date no such drugs are available in the market, which possess anti
snake venom activity.
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 2/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
the ability of one such traditionally used plant (Parkia biglobosa, Mimosaceae) to
reduce the effects of two snake venoms (Naja nigricollis, and Echis ocellatus) in
several experimental models. A water-methanol extract of P. biglobosa stem bark
significantly protected the chick biventer cervicis (cbc) muscle preparation from
N. nigricollis venom-induced inhibition of neurally evoked twitches when it was
added to the bath three-five minutes before or after the venom.
“The extract also reduced the loss of responses to acetylcholine (Ach), carbachol
and potassium chloride (KCl), which are normally blocked by N. nigricollis venom,
and significantly reduced the contractures of the preparation induced by venom. P.
biglobosa extract (75, 150 and 300 microg/ml) significantly protected C2C12
murine muscle cells in culture against the cytotoxic effects of N. nigricollis and E.
ocellatus venoms. The extract protected egg embryos exposed to lethal
concentrations of E. ocellatus venom for more than 12 hour and completely
blocked the haemorrhagic activity of the venom at concentrations of five and 10
microg/1.5 microl. P. biglobosa extract (400 mg/kg) did not protect mice injected
i.p. with 5 and 2.5 mg/kg of E. ocellatus and N. nigricollis venoms, respectively. It,
however, protected 40 per cent of the mice from death caused by E. ocellatus
venom after the extract and venom were pre-incubated for 30 minutes before
injecting the mixture.”
According to the study, the extract neutralised the viper venom hydrolytic
enzymes such as phospholipase, protease, and hyaluronidase in a dose dependent
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manner. These enzymes are responsible for both local effects of envenomation
such as local tissue damage, inflammation and myonecrosis, and systemic effects
including dysfunction of vital organs and alteration in the coagulation
components.
The results revealed that both the hexane and the ethyl acetate fractions showed
capability of inhibiting the venom enzymes significantly when compared with the
venom controls in varying degrees of efficacies. For the adjuvant effect, no
x
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 4/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
significant effect of the venom at the administered dose was observed on bleeding
time, clotting time, defibrinogenating and haemorrhagic effects compared to the
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normal control. However, the size of necrotic lesion and the percentage
haemolysis were significantly higher in the venom control rats. Both the hexane
and the ethyl acetate fractions significantly mitigated these effects in the treated
animals. The degree of protection was about three folds more than when the
antivenin was used alone.
The study evaluated the effect of Tamarindus indica seed extract on the
pharmacological as well as the enzymatic effects induced by V. russelli venom.
Tamarind seed extract inhibited the PLA, protease, hyaluronidase, l-amino acid
oxidase and 5’-nucleotidase enzyme activities of venom in a dose-dependent
manner. These are the major hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the early effects
of envenomation, such as local tissue damage, inflammation and hypotension.
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 5/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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Mangifera indica has been used against snakebite by traditional healers. However,
there is paucity of scientific data in support. In this study, the scientists evaluated
the anti-venom potential of aqueous extract of stem bark of M. indica against D.
russellii venom-induced pharmacological effects such as life myotoxicity, edema,
LD50 etc. The extract inhibited the phospholipase, protease, hyaluronidase,
5’nucleotidase, ATPase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activities with varying
IC50 values. It significantly inhibited both metalloproteases and serine proteases
activities.
Further, the extract significantly reduced the myotoxicity of the venom, as evident
by the reduction of serum creatin kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities.
Though the extract completely inhibited in vitro PLA2 activity, it was unable to
completely inhibit in situ hemolytic and in vivo edema-inducing activities, usually
brought about by PLA2s. In lethality studies, co-injection of the venom pre-
incubated with the extract showed higher protection than the independent
injection of venom, followed by the extract in the mice. However, in both the cases
the extract -a cocktail of inhibitors significantly increased the survival time, when
compared to that of mice injected (i.p) with the venom alone.
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 6/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
A recent study has scientifically validated the folklore use of Annona senegalensis
in the treatment of snakebite by farmers and herdsmen in Northern Nigeria.
The researchers noted: “The potency of the methanol extract of the root bark of
the plant was tested against cobra (Naja nigricotlis nigricotlis Wetch) venom in
rats. The extract was also tested on brine shrimp (Artemia saline Leach).
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 7/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
The activity of the extract against the venom induced mortality, occurrence of
toxic signs, activity on liver enzymes as well as its ability to reverse
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“Results indicated that the extract caused reduction in the induced hyperthermia
and directly detoxified the snake venom used by 16-33 per cent. It, however, failed
to restore the biochemical functions (sGOT and sGPT) of the liver. The extract
exhibited an LC(50) of 232.7 microg/ml in the brine shrimp test.”
According to The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, volume 1, “A bark infusion
forms a mouth-wash to relieve toothache, and in the Zambesi region root-bark is
used as an antidote to snakebite. Leafy twigs and bark are used by Fula of Senegal
against sterility. They also consider the bark to be a galactogogue (induce breast
milk production) for both humans and animals.
“The roots are sold in Hausa markets in Northern Nigeria and are used in the
treatment of venereal diseases, the patient feeding for five or six days on a pap
made by boiling the root with guinea-corn meal and native natron.”
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 8/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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Yoruba.
Recent studies have found that Mucuna pruriens leaves are more effective than
the standard drug, anti-venin, for curing snakebite.
The mice were randomly grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, and F) of five rats
each. Group A served as the normal control (no induction), and the mice in the
x
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 9/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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Turmeric (Cucuma longa)
Researchers in a study published in the journal Toxicon have demonstrated the
antivenom and biological effects of ar-turmerone isolated from Curcuma longa.
The study examined the interaction of Musa paradisiaca extract (MsE) with snake
venom proteins. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), myotoxic and hemorrhagic activities,
including lethality in mice, induced by crotalidae venoms were significantly
inhibited when different amounts of MsE were mixed with these venoms before
assays. On the other hand, mice that received MsE and venoms without previous
mixture or by separated routes were not protected against venom toxicity. Partial
chemical characterization of MsE showed the presence of polyphenols and
tannins and they are known to non-specifically inactivate proteins.
The researchers concluded: “We suggest that these compounds can be responsible
for the in vitro inhibition of the toxic effects of snake venoms. In conclusion, x
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 10/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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according to our results, using mice as experimental model, MsE does not show
protection against the toxic effects of snake venoms in vivo, but if was very
effective when the experiments were done in vitro.”
https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 11/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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Snake venom Turmeric Velvet bean
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https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 12/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 13/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 14/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 15/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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Saya Minum Ini, Makanya Saya Tak Takut Hipertensi & Kolestrol
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https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ 16/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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https://guardian.ng/features/more-plants-validated-as-antidotes-to-snake-venom/ ⓘ 18/19
02/10/2022, 17:52 More plants validated as antidotes to snake venom | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Features — …
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