Characterization and Evaluation of the Effects of Indigofera pulchra, Aristolochia albida and Andrographis paniculata Leaves Extract Phenolics against the Activity of Naja nigricollis and Echis ocellatus Snake Venoms

Abstract

With the increased incidence of snake envenomation, high cost of venom antiserum; its adverse side effects and lack of storage facilities for antiserum especially in rural areas, the use of plants as alternatives for treatment of poisonous snakebites is important, especially in remote areas. This research was aimed at characterization and evaluation of the effects of Indigofera pulchra, Aristolochia albida and Andrographis paniculata leaves extract phenolics against the activity of Naja nigricollis and Echis ocellatus snake venoms. The plants samples were extracted using chloroform, after which a qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was done, followed by characterization analyses (GC-MS and FTIR). Preperatory and analytical tin layer chromatography analyses was carried out on all the extracts, flavonoids and tannins fractions were isolated, using garlic and tannic acids as standards. In-vitro inhibition analyses of the partially purified phenolics was done to ascertain the effects to the isolated phenolic fractions against the two selected crude snake venoms. The plant extracts characterization done revealed that all the three extracts contain phenolics and specifically important compounds like, Benzaldehyde-2-hydro-4-methoxy, rutin and gallocatechin, all which has been reported to have anti-snake venom capability. The inhibition studies carried out revealed that the flavonoid fractions of the extracts has a higher inhibitory effect against the snake venoms than the tannin fractions of all the extracts. Characterization and evaluation studies, done in this research has revealed that these plants’ phenolic fractions have effects on the two snake venoms and can help in the management and treatment of snake bite.