Characterization of the Factor Responsible for the Antisnake Activity of Mucuna Prurien's Seeds

Background. Mucuna pruriens DC. (Papilionacee) has been used since several years in traditional medicine in West Africa. In Plateau State, Nigeria, the seed is prescribed as a prophylactic oral anti-snake remedy by traditional medicine pratictioners. The protective effect of a water extract of Mucuna pruriens’ seed against Echiscarinatus and Naja hannah venom has been reported. Aims The purpose of our re search is to characterize the factor (s) responsible for such antisnake activity of Mucuna pruriens seeds . Methods. A water extract of the seeds was first submitted to precipitation with solid (NH4)2SO4 and then the components were separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G50 column obtaining two fractions, the first one containing proteins. Mice were first treated with the proteic fraction: 24 hours and 14 days minimal lethal dose of Echiscarinatus venom (2 mg/Kg mouse) was injected. Results and conclusions. We demonstrated that the protective principle is a protein and this could be of importance in snakebite therapy and prevention . We are carrying out further researches for the identification of the protein(s) responsible for the antisnake activity of Mucuna pruriens’ seeds and its mechanism of action

Proteomic analysis of the pathophysiological process involved in the antisnake venom effect of Mucuna pruriens extract

Previously, we reported the antisnake venom properties of a Mucuna pruriens seed extract (MPE) and tested its in vivo efficacy against Echis carinatus venom (EV) in short- (1 injection) and long-term (three weekly injections) treatments. The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma proteome changes associated with MPE treatments and identify proteins responsible for survival of envenomated mice (CHALLENGED mice). Six treatment groups were studied. Three control groups: one saline, one short-term and one long-term MPE treatment. One group received EV alone. Two test groups received EV with either a short-term or long-term MPE treatment (CHALLENGED mice). The plasma from each group was analysed by 2-DE/MALDI-TOF MS. The most significant changes with treatment were: albumin, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A and serum amyloid P. Most of these changes were explained by EV effects on coagulation, inflammation and haemolysis. However, MPE treatments prevented the EV-induced elevation in HPT. Consequently, HPT levels were similar to controls in the plasma of CHALLENGED mice. The plasma of CHALLENGED mice showed substantial proteomic modifications. This suggests the mechanism of MPE protection involves the activation of counterbalancing processes to compensate for the imbalances caused by EV