Anti-snakevenom Activity of Mesua ferrea Linn. against the Venom of Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

Abstract:

Background: Traditionally Mesua ferrea Linn. used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various diseases, The leaves and flower are uses as antidote for snake poisoning. The anti-snakevenom activity has not yet reported scientifically. Objectives: The designed study is to proof the anti-snakevenom potential of the leaves of aqueous alcoholic extract of Mesua ferrea Linn. by in vitro enzymatic inhibition followed by neutralization and anti-haemorhagic potential against the venom Echis carinatus by in vivo. Materials and Methods: Extraction: The leaves of Mesua ferrea Linn. were collected and subjected to extraction by using different solvent such as hydro alcoholic chloroform and hexane. Further the hydro alcoholic extract was selected to liquid liquid fraction with methanol, chloroform and hexane because of more yield. Enzyme inhibition activity: The hydroalcoholic liquid liquid methanol chloroform and hexane fractions were subjected to enzyme inhibition assay such as acetyl cholinesterase, protease, albumin denaturation and anticoagulation activity. Neutralization potential: Female mice were divided into four groups (n=6, 1 disease control group, 1 normal control, 1 standard control and 1 treatment group). All the mice except Normal control group were injected intraperitoneally with 2.21 mg/kg (LD50 dose) of Echis carinatus venom in 0.2mL PBS. Anti-haemorhagic Activity: Experimental animals were sorted into four groups of 4 animals per group. Animals in Group I and Group II was given intradermal injection of saline and 3µg of Echis carinatus Venom (i.e. 3MHD dose*), respectively. In Group III, as a positive control 1:100 w/w Anti-snakevenom (ASV)(mg of ECV/mg of ASV) were administered. For Group IV, the test sample (200mg/kg) was incubated with 3µg of Echis carinatus Venom for 30 min and injected intra-dermally. Results: The hydroalcoholic liquid liquid chloroform fraction was shown the good enzymatic inhibition when compared to other fraction and the survival time of animals was increased in the group administered with test extracts was calculated as survival percentage of animals. Similarly the haemorrhagic lesion is reduced in the group administered with test sample. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study, it is concluded that the aqueous alcoholic extract of Mesua ferrea Linn. has shown the anti-snake venom potential against the venom Echis carinatus.

Keywords: Mesua ferrea Linn., Antisnakevenom, Saw scaled viper, Echis carinatus, Neutralization potential.