Efficacy Testing of Commercially Available Anti-snake Venoms against <i>Echis ocellatus</i> Venom in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Snakebites cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide, with the highest burden found in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The aim of this  study was to evaluate the efficacy of Echitab-PlusICP and Premium Antisnake venoms (ASVs) against Echis ocellatus snake venom. The LD₅₀ of the venom  in experimental mice was determined using probit analysis. The anti-lethality study of the Echitab Plus-ICP ASV at doses (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mL/kg)  and Premium ASV at doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mL/kg) was carried out according to Theakston and Reid method. Three doses (0.4, 0.8,  and 1.2  mL/kg) of the venom were administered intramuscularly (i.m) and the Minimum Hemorrhagic Dose (MHD) was determined. The venom's LD₅₀ and MHD  in experimental mice were 4 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg respectively. The Echitab Plus-ICP ASV at doses (3, 6, 9, and 15 mL/kg) and the Premium ASV at the  doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mL/kg) produced 100% protection against lethality induced by the 2LD₅₀ of the Echis ocellatus snake venom. However,  Echitab Plus-ICP ASV at a dose of 12 mL/kg and Premium ASV at the dose of 0.5 mL/kg produced 83% and 50% protection respectively. Furthermore,  Echitab-Plus-ICP and Premium ASVs at all doses produced statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in hemorrhage-induced by 2MHD of the venom. Also,  an in-vitro hemolysis assay of the two ASVs showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in venom-induced red blood cells hemolysis. These findings suggest  that Echitab-Plus-ICP and Premium Anti-venoms are effective against envenomings caused by Echis ocellatus venom. Further experiments should be  conducted on these ASVs so as to study its necrotizing, myotoxic and pro-coagulant properties.