Neutralization of Naja Naja Snake Venom by Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Rivea hypocrateriformis

Abstract

Snake venom has been the cause of innumerable deaths worldwide.For the last century, antivenin is the only available antivenom in market for specific treatment. However,antivenin does not  provide enough protection against venom induced  haemorrhage, necrosis, nephrotoxicity and often  develops  hypersensitivity reactions. India has a rich source of the usage of medicinal plants. Many Indian medicinal plants in olden days used by tribal people like Gonds, Bhils, santhal, kasha etc to treat snakebite victims and also some traditional plants also found out by means of literature survey.However, only a few species have been  scientifically  investigated  and their  active  components  isolated  and characterized both structurally and functionally. This article is to screen for the effects of naja naja snake venom by ethanolic leaf extracts of Rivea hypocrateriformis.The freeze dried cobra venom (Naja Naja) was obtained from Irula Snake Catcher’s I.C.S. Ltd., Vadanemmeli Village, Kancheepuram,Tamil Nadu,India. It has been preserved at 4ºC,before use the venom was dissolved in saline, centrifuged at 200rpm for 10min and the supernatant liquid was used for further studies, concentration of venom was expressed in terms of dry weight. In vitro activity of venom was carried out such as platelet aggregation, phospholipase inhibition activity and pro coagulant activity.The result showed the potential of plant leaves extract act against the enzymes present in the snake venom. Rivea hypocrateriformis inhibits most of the snake venom enzymes and also loosen the platelets aggregation and extend the clotting time. This study states that the ethanolic extract of Riveahypocrateriformis with different concentration (1000µg/ml) showed that the percentage inhibition of platelet aggregation, procoagulant activity and prolipase inhibition activity.