Inhibition of the inflammatory and coagulant action of Bothrops atrox venom by the plant species Marsypianthes chamaedrys.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the efficacy of Marsypianthes chamaedrys Vahl (Lamiaceae) inflorescence and leaf extracts in inhibiting the inflammatory and coagulant actions of Bothrops atrox venom.


METHODS
Marsypianthes chamaedrys, which is used in Brazil as a folk medicine to treat snakebites and local inflammatory reactions, was tested in vitro to determine its ability to block indirect phospholipase A(2) and direct coagulant activities and in vivo to determine its ability to inhibit leukocyte migration and cytokine release.


RESULTS
In vitro, Marsypianthes chamaedrys showed antiphospholipase A(2) and anticoagulant activities; the latter activity was also confirmed by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in the absence of venom. Of the extracts used, those obtained from the crushed plant had the greater inhibitory activity in in vitro tests, showing that biological activity is affected by the way extracts are obtained. In vivo, Marsypianthes chamaedrys inhibited leukocyte migration and the release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α without altering the concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.


CONCLUSIONS
As specific antivenoms are not effective in neutralizing the local action of Bothrops venoms, characterization of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms induced by Marsypianthes chamaedrys is of vital importance if the extracts of this plant species are to be used in future as adjuvants in the treatment of snakebites.
Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil.
Alcineide
A
Magalhães
Gleyce Barbosa Dos
GB
Santos
Maria Christina Dos Santos
MC
Verdam
Liziara
L
Fraporti
Adriana
A
Malheiro
Emerson Silva
ES
Lima
Maria Cristina
MC
Dos-Santos
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017837:Bothrops; D003029:Coagulants / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D003029:Coagulants; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts