title: Anti-snake venom activities of extracts and fractions from callus cultures of Sapindus saponaria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae) bark, root, and fruits are used as sedatives and to treat gastric ulcer and also demonstrate diuretic and expectorant effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The anti-snake venom properties of callus of S. saponaria are investigated here for the first time.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro cultivated callus of Sapindus saponaria were lyophilized, and the extracts were prepared with different solvents, before submitting to phytochemical studies and evaluation of the anti-ophidian activity. Crude extracts were fractionated by liquid-liquid partition and the fractions were monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Subsequently, anti-ophidian activities were analyzed toward Bothrops jararacussu Lacerda (Viperidae), B. moojeni Hoge (Viperidae), B. alternates Duméril (Viperidea) and Crotalus durissus terrificus Lineu (Viperidae) venoms and isolated myotoxins and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fractions A1, A2 and the extract in MeOH:H(2)O (9:1) significantly inhibited the toxic and pharmacological activities induced by snake venoms and toxins, when compared to other extracts and fractions. The lethal, clotting, phospholipase, edema-inducing, hemorrhagic and myotoxic activities were partially inhibited by the different extracts and fractions. TLC profiles of the crude extracts (B and C) and fractions (A1 and A2) showed β-sitosterol and stigmasterol as their main compounds. Stigmasterol exhibited inhibitory effects on enzymatic and myotoxic activities of PLA(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sapindus saponaria extracts and fractions presented anti-ophidian activity and could be used as an adjuvant to serum therapy or for its supplementation, and in addition, as a rich source of potential inhibitors of enzymes involved in several pathophysiological human and animal diseases.
authors: Unidade de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Ribeirão Preto, UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.
authors: Marcos L
authors: ML
authors: da Silva
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Marcussi
authors: Renata S
authors: RS
authors: Fernandes
authors: Paulo S
authors: PS
authors: Pereira
authors: Ana Helena
authors: AH
authors: Januário
authors: Suzelei C
authors: SC
authors: França
authors: Saulo L
authors: SL
authors: Da Silva
authors: Andreimar M
authors: AM
authors: Soares
authors: Miriam V
authors: MV
authors: Lourenço
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017837:Bothrops; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D017839:Crotalus; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D054467:Phospholipases A2 / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032127:Sapindus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D013265:Stigmasterol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012855:Sitosterols; D014757:Viper Venoms; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D013265:Stigmasterol; D054467:Phospholipases A2