Investigation of the Anti-Snake Venom Activity ofSchumanniophyton magnificum

Abstract

Polar fractions of the methanolic extracts of the stem- and root-barks of SCHUMANNIOPHYTON MAGNIFICUM (Rubiaceae) reduced the effects of cobra venom cardiotoxin in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation IN VITRO. No activity was observed against a curaremimetic neurotoxin from cobra venom. Further fractionation of the extracts showed that the activity was not due to alkaloidal components, but the active substances could not be identified or isolated.

Effect of Annona senegalensis rootbark extracts on Naja nigricotlis nigricotlis venom in rats

“…We, therefore, investigated activities of the methanol extract of the root bark against cobra (Naja nigricotlis nigricotlis Wetch) venom. We decided on cobra venom because it (cobra) was reported to be the major cause of snakebite injury in Nigeria (Houghton and Harvey, 1989). The detoxifying effects of the extract were investigated and activities against liver enzymes assessed by looking at the serum glutamate-oxalate-transminase (sGOT) and serum-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT) both of which indicate the condition of liver function (Hsu et al, 1998).…”

In Vitro. Investigation of the Protective Effects of Tannic Acid Against the Activities ofNaja kaouthia. Venom

“…Tannic acid and plant polyphenols have both been shown to exert various pharmacological effects in biological systems (Havsteen, 1983;Ratty & Das, 1988;Haslam, 1989;Ramanathan & Das, 1992). Their protective effects against the toxicity of snake venom activities have been reported (Duke, 1985;Houghton & Harvey, 1989;Mors et al, 1989;Kuppusamy & Das, 1993;Pithayanukul et al, 2004Pithayanukul et al, , 2005. Furthermore, some researchers have also suggested the application of tannic acid and plant polyphenols as washing agents for the emergency treatment of snakebites (Okonogi et al, 1979).…”

Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Some Alkaloids and Alkaloid Cardenolides

“…monstrated that polar extracts of the stem bark show both in vivo and in vitro activity against cobra cardiotoxin (1,2). The earliest report of activity stated that this was due to an alkaloid (3) but our initial studies could not detect the presence of alkaloids in the active fraction (1).…”

“…Aqueous extracts of the stem bark of S. magn4ficum from Nigeria were extracted with chloroform and the two fractions so obtained were further fractionated by column and thin layer chromatography. Each fraction was monitored for activity using the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation challenged with cobra cardiotoxin (2). Crude fractions showing direct contracture of the muscle or inhibition of cardiotoxin activity were further fractionated to yield isolates giving a single spot on TLC.…”

“…In this connection, a comparative investigation of ajmaline and 1 relative to their affinity with lipids of membranes was performed (1) A review of the literature revealed that root extracts of Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae) possessed antisickling properties (1). Later the constituents of the extract responsible for the antisickling effects were identified to be p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), vanillic acid, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, and o-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid, respectively (2). Hence, we attempted to modify hydroxybenzoic acids by esterification to increase lipid solubility, a factor pertinent to the penetration of cell membranes (3).…”