Neutralizing effect of plant Andrographis paniculata against the Russell′s viper venom and its comparison with polyvalent anti-snake venom

Abstract

Background: The study was undertaken to investigate the neutralizing effect of the alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata against the Russell’s viper venom. Materials and Methods: The lethal dose 99 (LD99) value of snake venom was calculated and then the venom-neutralizing ability of the plant extract at doses of 1 and 2 g/kg was determined using in vitro and in vivo methods. The alleviation in the mean survival time of the animals was used to infer the antivenom property of the drug after challenging it with the LD99 value of snake venom. Results: The ethanolic extract of plant A. paniculata signifi cantly increases the mean survival time and the protection fold but could not protect animals from death when used alone. The protection was more when the plant extract was given at a lower dose, i.e., 1 g/kg, than at a higher dose, i.e., at 2 g/kg. Polyvalent antisnake venom (ASV) was found to be more effective than the plant extract. When the plant extract was given along with polyvalent ASV, it potentiated its effect. Conclusion: The observation demonstrates that the ethanolic extract of A. paniculata has an antivenom activity against the Russell’s viper venom which is comparable with polyvalent ASV.