Effects of crude methanol extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp on Naja nigricollis venom-induce toxicity in Wistar rats.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of Crude Methanol Extract of Adansonia digitata Fruit Pulp on Naja nigricollis Venom-Induce Toxicity in Wistar rats. A. digitata was extracted using 70% methanol and median lethal dose (LD50) of both the extract and venom were determined using the up-and-down method. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 10 groups of 6 rats each and were administered with normal saline, venom only, venom+antivenom, 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg crude methanol extract (CME) pre-envenomation, 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg CME post-envenomation, and venom+antivenom+250mg/kg CME, respectively. Blood samples were collected 8-h post-envenomation in EDTA and plain sample bottles. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) test was carried out on the EDTA blood samples while serum washarvested and used for Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) assays. LD50 of the CME and venom was >5,000mg/kg and 0.889mg/kg, respectively. N. nigricollis-induced oxidative stress was evident in group B through increased % haemolysis, MDA and lowered SOD activities. The groups treated with antivenom only, 250mg/kg CME post-envenomation and antivenom +250mg/kg CME significantly (p<0.05) reduced EOF, MDA values and increased SOD. The CME revealed better ameliorative effect than protective via inhibition of EOF, MDA values and increased SOD activity. The CME when administered singly showed more ameliorative properties and the combination of CME with antivenom for protection was not as effective as when compared to single administration.