Abstract
This study analyzes the effectiveness of extracts from five plant species used for treating venomous snakebites in the region of Santarém, in central Brazilian Amazonia. The aqueous extracts of Bellucia dichotoma Cogn., Connarus favosus Planch., Aniba fragrans Ducke,Plathymenia reticulata Benth., and Philodendron megalophyllum Schott were prepared by decoction at 70°C and lyophilized. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity and biological effects of the crude venom of Bothrops atrox was tested by pre-incubating different concentrations (1:1 to 1:30 venom:extract, w/w) for 30 min at 37°C. These results confirm traditional local knowledge on the anti-toxin powers of the native plants of the Amazon basin and the potential of these extracts as toxin inhibitors and as an alternative or complement for the standard treatment of snakebite based on the application of antisera. Key words: Natural inhibitors, Bothrops atrox, Bellucia dichotoma, Connarus favosus, Plathymenia reticulata, Philodendron megalophyllum, Aniba fragrans.
Highlights
Poisoning by the venom of Bothrops vipers is characterized by both local and systemic effects
The present study evaluated the potential of the aqueous extracts of the five above mentioned species for the inhibition of the principal enzymatic and biological effects induced by the crude venom of B. atrox
The hemorrhagic activity caused by the intradermic injection of 2MHD of the crude venom of B. atrox was inhibited completely by the B. dichotoma extract when the sample was mixed with the venom prior to the injection at ratios of 1:5 and 1:10 (w/w) (Figure 1)
Summary
Poisoning by the venom of Bothrops vipers is characterized by both local and systemic effects. The local effects normally include pain, hemorrhage, edemas, myonecrosis and inflammation on the site of bite, while systemic problems include alterations in blood clotting (consumptive coagulopathy), cardiovascular and renal alterations, hypovolemic shock, and hemorrhaging in other parts of the body (Warrell, 2004; Gutiérrez and Rucavado, 2000; Gutiérrez et al, 2005). These consequences arise soon after the bite and result from. Mourao et al 2331 the combined effects of the different toxins contained in the venom. The principal physiological targets of these toxins are components of the hemostatic system or the tissue adjacent to the site of the snakebite
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