In vivo and in vitro prospection of the anti-ophidic properties exercised by the extracts of Jacaranda decurrens L.

Marcus Vinícius Cardoso Trento,Mateus Santos Carapiá,Pedro Henrique Souza César,Silvana Marcussi,Andreimar Martins Soares,Mariana Aparecida Braga

doi:10.4025/actascibiolsci.v43i1.57016

Marcus Vinícius Cardoso Trento, Mateus Santos Carapiá + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v43i1.57016

Copy DOI

Abstract

The research and development of alternative treatments for snakebites (e.g., medicinal plants) is necessary due to the high costs of the existing ones. The effects of the aqueous extracts from Jacaranda decurrens leaves, roots, and xylopodium were analyzed upon the venom-induced (Bothrops spp. and Crotalus spp.) systemic and local toxicity. The extracts were able to partially inhibit the phospholipase activity of the venoms from Bothrops jararacussu and Crotalus durissus terrificus. The myotoxic, edema-inducing, coagulant, and hemorrhagic activities were also inhibited. The SDS-PAGE showed that the venom proteins were intact after their incubation with the extracts. This suggests that the possible mechanism of inhibition is not related to the degradation of the protein but rather to their binding to specific sites of the enzymes. The extracts significantly prolonged the survival time of animals in the lethality assay performed with Crotalus durissus terrificus venom and its toxin (crotoxin). The anti-ophidic activity of medicinal plants may aid in the management of snakebites in distant locations by reducing the victim’s local effects and time to heal.

Highlights

Snake venoms are complex mixtures of enzymes and toxic proteins, which include phospholipases A2, myotoxins, hemorrhagic metalloproteinases, serine proteases, coagulant components, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, and cardiotoxins (Camacho et al, 2016; Xiao, Pan, Liao, Yang, & Huang, 2017; Singh, Yasir, Khare, Tripathi, & Shrivastava, 2020)
Plant extracts are a rich source of inhibitors and bioactive compounds that antagonize the activity of some venoms and toxins (Guimarães et al, 2014; Singh, Yasir, & Shrivastava, 2021)
This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the aqueous extract (AEJd) of leaves, roots, an d xylopodium from J. decurrens to inhibit enzymatic and pharmacological activities induced by Bothrops spp. and Crotalus spp. venoms

Summary

Introduction

Snake venoms are complex mixtures of enzymes and toxic proteins, which include phospholipases A2, myotoxins, hemorrhagic metalloproteinases, serine proteases, coagulant components, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, and cardiotoxins (Camacho et al, 2016; Xiao, Pan, Liao, Yang, & Huang, 2017; Singh, Yasir, Khare, Tripathi, & Shrivastava, 2020). Ophidian envenomations are characterized by prominent local tissue damage, i.e., hemorrhage, edema, necrosis, and alterations in the blood coagulation, as well as systemic neurotoxic effect. The number of snakebites reaches 2.7 million people globally every year and 100,000 deaths (Schneider et al, 2021). Plant extracts are a rich source of inhibitors and bioactive compounds that antagonize the activity of some venoms and toxins (Guimarães et al, 2014; Singh, Yasir, & Shrivastava, 2021). A few plant species have been studied, and the number of isolated bioactive compounds that were structurally and functionally characterized is still low (Soares et al, 2005)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion