Abstract
Extracts from Dipteryx alata bark obtained with different solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol) were mixed in vitro with Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu, 40 μg/mL) and Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt, 15 μg/mL) snake venoms, and applied to a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation to evaluate the possible neutralization of venom effects. Cdt venom neurotoxic effect was not inhibited by any of the extracts, while the neurotoxic and myotoxic actions of Bjssu venom were decreased by the methanolic extract. This inhibition appears to be augmented by tannins. Dichloromethane bark extract inhibited ~40% of Bjssu venom effects and delayed blockade induced by Cdt. The methodology used to determine which extract was active allows inferring that: (i) phenolic acids and flavonoids contained in the methanolic extract plus tannins were responsible mostly for neutralization of Bjssu effects; (ii) terpenoids from the dichloromethane extract may participate in the anti-Cdt and anti-Bjssu venom effects; (iii) a given extract could not inhibit venoms from different species even if those belong to the same family, so it is improper to generalize a certain plant as antiophidian; (iv) different polarity extracts do not present the same inhibitory capability, thus demonstrating the need for characterizing both venom pharmacology and the phytochemistry of medicinal plant compounds.
Highlights
The use of medicinal plants for treating diseases, or to counteract envenoming effects caused by accidents with bees, wasps, scorpions, sea-anemones and snakes has long been a complementary and/or an alternative practice in substitution to conventional therapies 1
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was applied for obtaining a chromatographic profile of hydroalcoholic extract (HA) from D. alata barks, since pilot assays have shown a neutralizing ability of HA from D. alata barks against the neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu snake (Bjssu) venom
The findings showed that the different solvent extracts exhibited differential biological activities, when tested pharmacologically against the venoms of two snakes, B. jararacussu (Figure 3) and C. d. terrificus (Figure 4), in relation to twitch tension recording of the mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparation
Summary
The use of medicinal plants for treating diseases, or to counteract envenoming effects caused by accidents with bees, wasps, scorpions, sea-anemones and snakes has long been a complementary and/or an alternative practice in substitution to conventional therapies 1. Most medicinal plants lack phytochemical evaluation aimed at the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds against snake venom effects. In this regard, determination of specificity in the chemical interactions between the venom toxins and plant bioactive compounds is a key-point for such endeavors. Determination of specificity in the chemical interactions between the venom toxins and plant bioactive compounds is a key-point for such endeavors In this sense, of primordial importance is to implement measures for developing phytocomplexes exhibiting true pharmacological efficacy, and minor loss of therapeutic potential. Other essential steps include: (i) to have a perfect knowledge of clinical effects of victims of envenoming by a given snake species (e.g., pain, edema, inflammation, myonecrosis, hemorrhage, clotting disturbances, renal failure, neurotoxicity, etc.), and (ii) to have characterized the pharmacology of venom and/or their toxins (neurotoxins, metaloproteinases, myotoxins) 17,18
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