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

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A potent phytase-producing bacterium Bacillus lehensis MLB2 was isolated from bean-grown soil. The optimum conditions recorded after optimization were 24 h incubation time, pH 5.5, 37°C, 2% inoculum level, 0.5% rice bran and 0.5% potassium nitrate. An overall 3.144-fold enhancement in phytase production was achieved after optimization. The use of an inexpensive substrate rice bran and short incubation period make the phytase production cost effective. The purified phytase (152.9 U/mg) had a molecular mass of approximately 98.686 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacryalamide gel electrophoresis and confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, optimum pH of 4.5, and temperature of 37°C. It maintained maximum stability in the acidic region from pH 2.0 to 6.0 and retained 100% at 60◦C or below. It showed an enhanced activity in the presence of 5 mM K

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