Bioactive Potential of Aqueous Extract of Calotropis gigantea against Echis carinatus Venom

Abstract

Background: Many plants are used to cure snakebites in Indian traditional medicine and some of them have been examined for their ability to neutralize snake venom. The main aim of the present study is the screening of phytochemicals, in vitro assessment of venom toxicity and neutralization assays and its antimicrobial assay. Methods: The phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography was used to determine and separate the chemical constituents present in the Calotropis gigantea. The direct hemolysis using sheep RBCs was studied for Echis carinatus venoms. The proteolytic, neutralizing and antimicrobial activity of the extract was also studied. Result: The phytochemical investigation of root extract of Calotropis gigantean and the TLC was performed. The Protein concentration of the lyophilized snake venoms was found to be 0.692 mg/ml. Echis carinatus venoms showed 89% hemolysis. Echis carinatus venom produced a reduced zone of hydrolysis with the extract. The absence of clot formation showed the neutralizing ability of plant extracts in gelatin liquefaction assay. Thus the scientific confirmation of neutralization potential of Calotropis gigantea plant extract against Saw scaled viper (Echis carinatus) venom was performed.