Abstract
Echis ocellatus snakebite causes more fatalities than all other African snake species combined. Moringa oleifera reportedly possesses an antivenom property. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of M. oleifera ethanol extract (MOE) against E. ocellatus venom (EOV) toxicities. Thirty male rats were grouped as follows (n = 5): Group 1 (normal control received saline), groups 2 to 6 were administered intraperitoneally, 0.22 mg/kg (LD50) of EOV. Group 2 was left untreated while group 3 to 6 were treated post-envenoming with 0.2 mL of polyvalent antivenom, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of MOE respectively. MOE significantly (p < 0.05) normalized the altered haematological indices and blood electrolytes profiles. MOE attenuated venom-induced cellular dysfunctions, characterized by a significant increase in NRF2, and concomitant downregulation of increased antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities in the serum and heart of the treated rats. MOE normalized the elevated TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and heart tissues. Furthermore, the IgG titre value was significantly (p < 0.5) higher in the envenomed untreated group compared to the MOE-treated groups. Hemorrhagic, hemolytic and coagulant activities of the venom were strongly inhibited by the MOE dose, dependently. Lesions noticed on tissues of vital organs of untreated rats were abolished by MOE. Our findings substantiate the effectiveness of MOE as a potential remedy against EOV toxicities.
Highlights
Snakebite-related pathology affects as many as 2.7 million people annually, most who live in remote, poorly developed and marginalized tropical communities of the world [1].Snakebites accounts for annual death ranging from 81,000 to 138,000, while over 400,000 surviving victims suffer permanent psychological and physical disabilities [1,2]
Death was not recorded in the normal control group and envenomed group treated with antivenom and 600 mg/kg of M. oleifera extract
40% mortality was observed in venom control and envenomed group treated with 200 mg/kg of the M. oleifera extract, while the group treated with 400 mg/kg of M. oleifera extract recorded 20% mortality
Summary
Snakebite-related pathology affects as many as 2.7 million people annually, most who live in remote, poorly developed and marginalized tropical communities of the world [1]. Snakebites accounts for annual death ranging from 81,000 to 138,000, while over 400,000 surviving victims suffer permanent psychological and physical disabilities [1,2]. Envenoming from snakebites is a priority among neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization [3,4]. In Nigeria, the incidence of snake envenoming in remote communities and some parts of urban areas has been on the rise [5]. Its envenoming is poisonous and life-threatening, and accounts for more death than all other African species combined [6,7]. The venom of E. ocellatus is highly toxic, consists primarily of peptides and proteins majorly; snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) possess hemorrhagic, nephrotoxic, cardiotoxic and anti-coagulant effects [8]
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