Scorpion antivenom effect of micropropagated Aristolochia elegans.
Aristolochia elegans Mast. (Aristolochiaceae) has been used to treat scorpion envenoming in Mexican traditional medicine. In vitro studies of the pharmacological activity of raw extracts from A. elegans roots have shown activity against scorpion bite. The aim of the present study was to determine for the first time the antagonistic effect of hexane and methanol extracts of the aerial parts and roots from micropropagated A. elegans plants in a model of isolated guinea-pig ileum contracted by scorpion bite. Results showed that the methanol extracts of aerial organs (74%) and roots (65%) of micropropagated plants have a similar antitoxin activity against scorpion poisoning to hexane extracts of wild plants (65%). These results suggest that using methanol extracts from the micropropagated plant material instead of wild plant root extracts from A. elegans is an alternative for treatment against scorpion bite symptoms, and will contribute to the conservation of this medicinal species.
Izquierdo
Alejandro Mora
AM
Departamento de Biotecnología, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Yautepec, Morelos, México.
Zapata
Elsa Ventura
EV
Jiménez-Ferrer
J Enrique
JE
Muñoz
Crescencio Bazaldúa
CB
Aparicio
Antonio Jiménez
AJ
Torres
Kalina Bermúdez
KB
Torres
Lidia Osuna
LO
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D030022:Aristolochia; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012605:Scorpions
D000997:Antivenins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012604:Scorpion Venoms