title: Antivenom potential of ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii bark against Naja venom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antivenom potential of ethanolic extract of bark of Cordia macleodii against Naja venom induced pharmacological effects such as lethality, hemorrhagic lesion, necrotizing lesion, edema, cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar strain rats were challenged with Naja venom and treated with the ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii bark. The effectiveness of the extract to neutralize the lethalities of Naja venom was investigated as recommended by WHO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the dose of 400 and 800 mg/kg ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii bark significantly inhibited the Naja venom induced lethality, hemorrhagic lesion, necrotizing lesion and edema in rats. Ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii bark was effective in neutralizing the coagulant and defibrinogenating activity of Naja venom. The cardiotoxic effects in isolated frog heart and neurotoxic activity studies on frog rectus abdominus muscle were also antagonized by ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii bark.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that the protective effect of extract of Cordia macleodii against Naja venom poisoning may be mediated by the cardiotonic, proteolysin neutralization, anti-inflammatory, antiserotonic and antihistaminic activity. It is possible that the protective effect may also be due to precipitation of active venom constituents.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G. G. University, Bilaspur (CG)- 495009, India.
authors.forename: Pranay
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G. G. University, Bilaspur (CG)- 495009, India.
authors.forename: Surendra H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bodakhe
keywords: Cardiotoxicity; Cordia macleodii; Hemorrhagic activity; Naja venom; Necrotizing activity; Neurotoxicity