Ethnobotanical survey of folk plants for the treatment of snakebites in Southern part of Tamilnadu, India.
Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in four different indigenous groups in Southern parts of Tamilnadu, India, using a questionnaire. The herbal practitioners in the study area were interviewed, and information on medicinal plants was collected from the traditional healers called "Vaidyars". This survey covers 72 medicinal plants belonging to 53 families that are used for the treatment of snakebite in a traditional way. Traditional approach was evaluated scientifically with some selected plant extracts (7.2 mg/kg bw) and partially purified fractions (2.4 mg/kg bw) were orally administered to mice experimentally envenomed with rattlesnake venom s.c. injection (2.5-15 microg/kg bw). Tested fractions (Aristolochia indica, Hemidesmus indicus, Gloriosa superba, Strychnos nux-vomica, Eclipta prostrata, and Andrographis paniculata) showed potent neutralizing effect against the venom. Compared to the extracts, administration of purified fractions was more effective in increasing the body weight. Control mice injected with the venom alone showed weight loss and severe toxicity at 15 microg/kg bw. The purified fractions (2.4 mg/kg bw) produced significant protection against venom induced changes in serum SOD and LPx levels. The isolated fractions effectively inhibited the toxic effect of snake venoms in vitro than in vivo. The above observations confirmed the protective activity of plants-Aristolochia indica, Hemidesmus indicus, Gloriosa superba, Strychnos nux-vomica, Eclipta prostrata, and Andrographis paniculata against the lethal action of snake venom and need further investigation.
Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Ramar Perumal
RP
Samy
Maung Maung
MM
Thwin
Ponnampalam
P
Gopalakrishnakone
Savarimuthu
S
Ignacimuthu
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D017839:Crotalus; D019448:Ethnobotany; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase