Anti-snake Venom Activities of Ethanol and Aqueous Extract of <i>Cassia hirsute</i> against Indian Cobra (<i>Naja naja</i>)Venom Induced Toxicity

Abstract

Snake bite leads to medical emergencies and sometimes death. It is clinically managed by administration of monovalent/polyvalent antisera and it exhibit early or late adverse reactions and sometimes these adverse effects lead to fatalities. Cassia hirsute has been used against snake bite by the traditional healers; however, there is paucity of scientific data in support of this claim. To examine the anti-snake venom activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Cassia hirsute against Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom induced toxicity. Anti-snake venom activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Cassia hirsute against Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom induced toxicity was studied in mice, rats and sheep by using various models as follows: Phospholipase A₂ induced hemolysis on sheep RBC, Naja naja induced anticoagulation[Coagulation activity], Naja naja induced bleeding, In- vivo Neutralization activity against lethality induced by Naja naja venom (2mg/kg) in rats, Naja naja venom induced odema, liver function of venomized rats. The Minimum lethal dose (MLD) was found as 2mg/kg and both ACH and ECH shown significant neutralization of Naja naja venom induced lethality. Both extracts inhibited phospholipase A2 dependent hemolysis of sheep RBC's and showed a high significant reduction (P<0.001) in the anti-coagulant activity of venom with 80.51% inhibition of anti-coagulation of ECH at 350 ;g and 79.84% of ACH at 300 ;g. ECH and ACH 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg shows significant (P<0.001) decrease in bleeding time also. These findings suggest a potential antivenom role of Cassia hirsute against Naja naja venom.