Snakebites and ethnobotany in the northwest region of Colombia

Otero, Rafael; Núñez, Vitelbina; Jiménez, Silvia; Fonnegra, Ramiro; Osorio, R.G.; Garcı́a, Mildred; Dı́az, Abel

doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00197-x

Cited by 84 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The current contribution shows that Randia aculeata protects against this event, which is why we infer that one of the plant's effects could be avoiding hemorrhages otherwise caused by snake venom, as has been demonstrated by employing other vegetal species (20)(21)(22)(23). It is also possible that this plant can partially neutralize myotoxic effects caused by some snake venoms, which are caused by phospholipase A 2 , metalloproteases and crotoxins (18,24). It has been proven that some plants can neutralize these toxins in vitro (23,25).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 60%

Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

Gallardo-Casas¹,

Guevara‐Balcazar²,

Morales-Ramos³

et al. 2012

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Abstract:In Mexico, medicinal plants are widely used. The use of Randia aculeata by healers against snakebites has never been scientifically tested in relation to possible effects on blood parameters and muscle tissue damage. Interviews were carried out in Jamapa, Veracuz, Mexico, with local residents to collect information about the traditional use of Randia aculeata. In this locality, seven pieces of fruit from the plant are mixed in a liter of alcohol, and then administered orally against snakebites. By using histological techniques and a murine model, we explored its cytoprotective properties against the effects of Crotalus simus and Bothrops asper venoms. Possible protections provided by the plant against tissue damage to skeletal and cardiac muscles and against the typical loss of red blood cells were analyzed. Randia aculeata caused an increase in microhematocrit and total hemoglobin, parameters that are often decremented in association with the loss of red blood cells, which is a characteristic effect of animal venom. Randia aculeata was also shown to protect against the lowering of platelet levels caused by Bothrops asper venom. Finally, Randia aculeata produced a partial inhibition of necrosis following administration of snake venom in skeletal and myocardial muscles. The present results provide solid evidence for the traditional use of Randia aculeata against snakebites, as demonstrated by protection against muscular tissue damage and the diminution of red blood cells.Key words: Rubiaceae, antivenoms, Bothrops, Crotalus, cytoprotection. Original PaPer INTRODUCTIONOphidian accidents represent a serious health problem, as they lead to an estimated 50,000 deaths and another 22,000 permanent injuries, including amputations and other losses of bodily functions that impede proper development within society (1). Among medical treatments for such accidents, medicinal plants used as ophidian antidotes generate special interest because of their potential pharmacological use. However, information remains scarce and many cases have not been subjected to true scientific analysis.In Mexico, a few plants have been evaluated including Brongniartia podalyrioides and B. intermedia, which were found to contain edunol, a substance that neutralizes the cardiological and toxic effects of the Bothrops atrox venom (2). In the country there are snakebite healers called "culebreros" that claim to know the proper antiophidic herbal remedies and methods of application (3). These healers often represent the only alternative given the lack of medical services that could otherwise provide anti-ophidian serum based on scientific research. In the best of cases, such a healer is apprenticed based on generations of practice that has led to an accumulation of knowledge on the effectiveness of distinct medicinal plants. A healer with this background is in reality keeping a valuable tradition alive (4). However, information on this use of medicinal plants is scarce and in many cases lacks scientific analysis.Ethnobotanic study of Randia ...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 60%

Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

Gallardo-Casas¹,

Guevara‐Balcazar²,

Morales-Ramos³

et al. 2012

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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“…Plant extracts constitute rich sources of pharmacologically active compounds, and some of them have been reported to antagonize the activity of various crude venoms and purified toxins (Coe & Anderson, 2005;Mors et al, 2000;Otero et al, 2000). This activity has been attributed to different compounds such as flavonoids, coumarins, and other polyphenolic metabolites widely distributed in different plant families (Lindahl & Tagesson, 1993Pithayanukul et al, 2005;Toyama et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation of the inhibitory activity of phospholipase A2 snake venom and the antioxidant activity of Colombian plant extracts

Pereañez¹,

Lobo-Echeverri²,

Rojano³

et al. 2010

Rev. bras. farmacogn.

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RESUMO:Veneno de cobra continua a ser um problema importante de saúde em muitos países da América Latina. Apesar dos avanços na terapia antiveneno, os efeitos locais causados por fosfolipases A 2 miotóxica (PLA 2 ) presentes no veneno, ainda persistem. Em busca de alternativas para antagonizar a atividade da PLA 2 do veneno de Bothrops asper, foram selecionados 36 extratos pertencentes a dezessete famílias de plantas vasculares e briófitas. Uma inibição significativa da atividade enzimática de PLA 2 presente no veneno de B. asper foi observada em onze extratos. Além disso, a atividade antioxidante dos extratos foi avaliada. Os resultados evidenciaram uma correlação estatisticamente significativa entre os extratos com ação inibitória contra a PLA 2 e aqueles com atividade antioxidante. Também, a quantidade de fenóis foi avaliada e foi encontrada uma relação entre a atividade biológica e a presença dessas substâncias. Nove extratos foram testados contra uma fração do veneno rico em PLA 2 básica (Fx-V B. asper), resultando em um efeito inibitório na atividade desta fração da PLA 2 na faixa de 30-80%. Esta atividade foi apoiada pela inibição que esses extratos apresentaram na citotoxicidade causada pelo Fx-V B. asper sobre mioblastos C2C12 de músculo esquelético de murino. Os resultados podem indicar a minimização dos esforços na busca de inibidores da PLA 2 , com foco nas amostras com propriedades antioxidantes conhecidas.Unitermos: fosfolipase A 2 , veneno de cobra, Bothrops asper, extratos de plantas, antioxidantes, DPPH.ABSTRACT: Snakebite continues to be a significant health problem in many countries of Latin America. Even though, there has been an improvement in the antivenom therapy, the local effects caused by myotoxic phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ) present in the venoms, still persist. In search for alternatives to antagonize the PLA 2 activity of Bothrops asper's venom, 36 extracts belonging to seventeen families of vascular plants and bryophytes were screened. A significant inhibition of the enzymatic activity of PLA 2 present in B. asper's whole venom was seen in eleven of these extracts. In addition, the antioxidant activity of all the extracts was evaluated. The results evidenced a significant statistical correlation between extracts with an inhibitory effect against PLA 2 and those with an antioxidant activity. Moreover, the amount of phenols was quantified finding a relationship between the bioactivity and the presence of these compounds. Nine extracts were screened against a fraction of the venom rich in basic PLA 2 (Fx-V B. asper), exhibiting an inhibitory effect on PLA 2 activity of this fraction in a range of 30-80%. This activity was supported by the inhibition that these extracts presented on the cytotoxicity caused by Fx-V B. asper on murine skeletal muscle C2C12 myoblasts. The results obtained, could point to minimize efforts in the search of PLA 2 inhibitors by focusing in samples with known antioxidant properties.

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“…Thus, 60% of snakebite victims are initially treated by healers who use medicinal plants administered either by the oral route or by external baths, vapor and poultices applied to the affected extremity (11). Plants constitute rich sources of novel compounds with a variety of pharmacological activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In northwestern Colombia, 60% of snakebite victims are initially treated by traditional healers who use medicinal plants in different forms according to the clinical condition of the patient (6,10,11). Thus, the experimental validation of such traditional knowledge is very important to elucidate the rational basis of its use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neutralization of the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom by extracts of plants used by healers in Colombia

Núñez

Otero

Barona

et al. 2004

Braz J Med Biol Res

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We determined the neutralizing activity of 12 ethanolic extracts of plants against the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom in Swiss Webster mice. The material used consisted of the leaves and branches of Bixa orellana (Bixaceae), Ficus nymphaeifolia (Moraceae), Struthanthus orbicularis (Loranthaceae) and Gonzalagunia panamensis (Rubiaceae); the stem barks of Brownea rosademonte (Caesalpiniaceae) and Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae); the whole plant of Pleopeltis percussa (Polypodiaceae) and Trichomanes elegans (Hymenophyllaceae); rhizomes of Renealmia alpinia (Zingiberaceae), Heliconia curtispatha (Heliconiaceae) and Dracontium croatii (Araceae), and the ripe fruit of Citrus limon (Rutaceae). After preincubation of varying amounts of each extract with either 1.0 µg venom for the edema-forming effect or 2.0 µg venom for the defibrinating effect, the mixture was injected subcutaneously (sc) into the right foot pad or intravenously into the tail, respectively, to groups of four mice (18-20 g). All extracts (6.2-200 µg/mouse) partially neutralized the edema-forming activity of venom in a dose-dependent manner (58-76% inhibition), with B. orellana, S. orbicularis, G. panamensis, B. rosademonte, and D. croatii showing the highest effect. Ten extracts (3.9-2000 µg/mouse) also showed 100% neutralizing ability against the defibrinating effect of venom, and nine prolonged the coagulation time induced by the venom. When the extracts were administered either before or after venom injection, the neutralization of the edema-forming effect was lower than 40% for all extracts, and none of them neutralized the defibrinating effect of venom. When they were administered in situ (sc at the same site 5 min after venom injection), the neutralization of edema increased for six extracts, reaching levels up to 64% for C. limon.

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Snakebites and ethnobotany in the northwest region of Colombia

Cited by 84 publications

References 12 publications

Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

Correlation of the inhibitory activity of phospholipase A2 snake venom and the antioxidant activity of Colombian plant extracts

Neutralization of the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom by extracts of plants used by healers in Colombia

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