Antihaemorrhagic potentials ofFagonia creticaagainstNaja naja karachiensis(black Pakistan cobra) venom

Abstract

Plants have been extensively used as a remedy for the treatment of snake bites. The aim of this study was to determine the antivenom potentials of methanolic extract from the aerial parts (leaves and twigs) of Fagonia cretica L. on a haemorrhage induced by venom from Naja naja karachiensis. The haemorrhagic response of venom was dose dependent from 0.1 to 4.0 µg per 1.5 µL phosphate buffer saline (PBS) on vitelline veins of fertilised hens' eggs in their shells. The extract effectively eliminated and neutralised, in a dose-dependent manner, the haemorrhagic activity of snake venom. The minimum effective neutralising dose of F. cretica extract was found to be 15 µg per 1.5 µL PBS. The extract possesses potentials as haemorrhagic inhibitor against snake venom compared to the standard antiserum and various plants reported in the literature. This study also provides a scientific base for the use of F. cretica in traditional medicine for the treatment of snake bite.

Naja naja karachiensisEnvenomation: Biochemical Parameters for Cardiac, Liver, and Renal Damage along with Their Neutralization by Medicinal Plants

“…Indeed, phospholipases enzymes are responsible for the increase in vascular permeability with hemorrhagic effects to the vital tissues in the victims. Subsequently, numerous lesions are produced related to the glomerular membrane and renal tubules either interstitial or vascular [29, 41, 42]. Presence of lymphocytes (white blood cells) and oedema in the cortical as well as medullary regions of renal tubules further confirmed the idea of renal damage (data has not shown) as reported previously with different snake venoms like Hemiscorpius lepturus [26, 43].…”

“…Snake bite has been responsible for tens of thousands of deaths worldwide and numerous physical handicaps [29]. Generally, snake venom is an intricate mixture of various proteins (>90%) and most of them are enzymes, particularly (40%) phospholipases A 2 [30].…”

“…It is due to the presence of myotoxic PLA 2 and other cardiotoxin(s) that are salient features of cobra venom that are responsible for cellular necrosis and cytotoxicity [38, 39]. Cytotoxic effect of Naja naja karachiensis venom may not be overlooked even when antisera administration is late cause of toxic components to the microvasculature and thrombus produced which poses hindrance in access of immunoglobulins to the site of snake bite [26, 29, 39]. …”

Enlisting the scientifically unnoticed medicinal plants of Pakistan as a source of novel therapeutic agents showing anti-venom activity

“…Snakes belonging to genus Naja are Naja naja ( ) and Naja oxiana (o) are deadly poisonous and are distributed throughout Pakistan ( Figure 1). Cytotoxicity, myotoxicity, oedema, pain, necrosis, haemorrhage, fang marks in the skin, diarrhea, burning, convulsions, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, fever, excessive sweating, tingling and high pulse rate are the major complications of snake bite (Razi et al, 2010;Das, 2009).…”

The Pharmacological Effects of Fagonia cretica linn Ethanolic Extract on Isolated Rabbit Intestine

“…The plant is found in the west, northern and central Sudan [1]. Fagonia cretica linn used traditionally as astringent, prophylactic against smallpox [4], anti-inflammatory and in the treatment of blood vascular diseases [5], fever, thirst, vomiting, dysentery, asthma, urinary discharges, liver problems, typhoid, toothache, stomach problems and skin diseases. The boiled aqueous plant residue is used to induce abortion and used as a topical paste for tumors and swellings of the neck.…”