Ethnomedicinal plants used for snakebite in India: a brief overview

Abstract

The result of human interface and assortment of the most desirable, influential, and successful plant species found in the immediate environment at a precise circumstance is attributable to indigenous knowledge of plant species. India has a rich variety of medicinal plants growing under different geographical and ecological conditions; 1500 out of 15,000 privileged plant species have been reported to have medicinal uses. Snakebite is a severe medical, social, and economic problem in many parts of the world, chiefly in tropical and subtropical nations where majority of the world’s dangerous snakes are found and where access to treatment is limited. In India, a range of medicinal plants are used as antidotes for snakebites, used either singly or in combination with other agents. The present study makes an effort to assemble information on medicinal plants that are grown and used for snakebite treatment in India. From a range of literature sources, data have been compiled with emphasis on the plants, family, parts used, etc., depending on the availability of information. This paper enumerates 523 plant species belonging to 122 families that act as antidotes against snakebites. We believe this study of herbal antidotes against snake venom is of substantial significance to society.

Antivenin plants used for treatment of snakebites in Uganda: ethnobotanical reports and pharmacological evidences

“…4 and 5). The regular use of roots and leaves in antivenin preparations is a characteristic feature of traditional antivenin therapy [17,81,86,99,100], no wonder some of these plants are named "snakeroot" in some rural communities [101]. Comparatively, embryonal plant parts such as fruits, seeds, buds, bulbs, and flowers which have reputation for accumulating certain compounds are less frequently used, concordant with reports from other countries [17,81].…”

“…trifasciata [10] Asteraceae Bidens pilosa L. [42] Asteraceae Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, and Myricaceae were cited in Kenya [17] and Tanzania [77], Meliaceae in Ghana [78], Fabaceae in Rwanda [79], Asparagaceae, Leguminosae, and Menispermaceae in Sudan [80], Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Capparaceae, Cariaceae, Combretaceae, Convulaceae, Ebenaceae, Eurphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, and Poaceae in Ethiopia [81] and Pakistan [82], Fabaceae, Aristolochiaceae, and Lamiaceae in Djibouti [83] and Nigeria [84], Melastomataceae and Menispermaceae in Cameroon [85]. Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, and Rutaceae were cited in India [86,87], Bangladesh [88,89], and Central America [90]. Fabaceae is always dominant in ethnobotanical reports because of the abundance of plant species from this family [88,[91][92][93].…”

Infrequent use of medicinal plants from India in snakebite treatment

“…Each of these may cause a number of secondary effects, and each is associated with potential morbidity and mortality. 3 Similar to other modern medicines, anti-venom can have side effects. In addition, it takes too long to develop and is expensive.…”

“…An ethno-medico-botanical appraisal includes discussions with natives, as well as utilization of available facts and data regarding folklore literature. 3 Indigenous medicinal plant species have been added to several recent drug formulations and preparations for fundamental health care. 3 …”

“… 3 Indigenous medicinal plant species have been added to several recent drug formulations and preparations for fundamental health care. 3 …”