Protective Effect of Azadirachta indica Leaf Fractionated Extracts on Renal and Haematological Indices against Snake Venom Toxicity in Albino Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: Snake venoms constitute different toxins which display different modes of action. Likewise, venoms from different snake species vary significantly in their toxin composition. Snake venom can cause morbidity and even mortality through tissue destruction. Hence, this research was aimed at evaluating the protective effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts on renal and haematological indices in albino rats. Materials and Methods: A. indica leaf was collected, authenticated and extracted using methanol followed by fractionation using hexane and ethylacetate. Albino rats of both sexes were used. They were grouped into 5, normal control, venom control, venom and hexane fraction (100 mg kgG 1 b.wt.), venom and ethylacetate fraction (100 mg kgG 1 b.wt.), then venom and conventional antivenom. Results: The hexane and the ethylacetate fractions significantly rendered protection on the renal and haematological indices probably via inactivation of the venom cytotoxins. Conclusion: This research has provided a scientific proof on the antivenom properties of A. indica leaf and the plant extracts can be used for detoxification of the snake venom toxicity.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Azadirachta indica Leaf Fractionated Extracts against Snake Venom Toxicity on Albino Rats

“…Different toxins from snake venom exhibit different modes of action [2]. Some distinct types of venom toxins that act differently [1] include: Proteolytic toxins (found in cobras and mambas venom) distort the molecular structure of the affected body muscles or organs causing necrosis and disability [3]; Cardiotoxic toxins (found in the venom of Naja species) specifically affect the heart by impairing muscle contraction causing the heart to beat irregularly or completely stop beating; Neurotoxic toxins (found in the venom of cobras, mambas, sea snakes, kraits and coral snakes) act on the nervous system and brain resulting in tetany where the nerve stays stimulated, causing incontrollable muscle contractions that can lead to death; Dendrotoxic toxins (found in cobras and mambas venom) inhibit neurotransmissions by blocking the exchange of positive and negative ions across the neuronal membrane leading to no nerve impulse, thereby paralyzing the victim; Haemotoxic venoms (found in the venom of Viperidae family members) cause haemorrhagic activity and the induction of local and systemic bleeding. They also possess diverse functions such as disruption of haemostasis mediated by pro-coagulant or anticoagulant effects, platelet aggregation, and apoptotic or pro-inflammatory activities [4].…”

Inhibition of Snake Venom Enzymes and Antivenom Adjuvant Effects of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) Leaf Extracts

“…Type II are the chief toxins responsible for the expression of inflammatory, vasodilating and vasoconstriction mediators including prostaglandins, histamine, kinins, eicosanoids, platelet activating factor, catecholamines, dopamine, nitric oxide and endothelins during envenomation [43] leading to systemic toxicity of the venom. In addition, type I PLA2s are also involved in exerting several additional effects including cardiotoxicity, myotoxicity, pre-or postsynaptic neurotoxicity, oedema, haemolysis, hypotension, convulsion, and can also lead to platelet aggregation inhibition and anticoagulation [18,44,45].…”

“…Serine proteinases catalyze the cleavage of covalent peptide bonds in proteins and thereby affecting many biological processes such as; digestion, blood coagulation, the immune system and inflammation [50]. Venom serine proteinases (VSPs) interfere with the regulation and control of key biological reactions in the blood coagulation cascade, fibrinolysis and blood platelet activation [12,18,[51][52][53][54][55].…”

“…were believed to contain high level of polyphenols [16]. Polyphenols such as tannins are specialized metabolites found in many plants species that have been shown to interact with enzymes from snake venom by non-specific binding to the proteins [17,18]. In relation to the mode of action, several studies [19][20][21][22] have concluded that the inhibition of polyphenolic compounds on snake venom enzymes is due to the interactions between the enzyme and the hydroxyl groups present in this type of metabolites through hydrogen bonds resulting in the formation of a stable complex [23].…”

Antioxidant Enhancing Effect of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Leaf Fractionated Extracts on Naja nigricollis Reinhardt Venom in Albino Rats

“…An imbalance between the excessive generation and poor removal of ROS causes lipid peroxidation leading to cellular damage [7]. PLA2 from snake venom has been implicated in multiple pathologies including hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity [8,9]. Snakebite envenomation is also accompanied by signs of inflammation and local tissue damage [10].…”