Pharmacological Activity of \u3ci\u3eCostus spicatus\u3c/i\u3e in Experimental \u3ci\u3eBothrops atrox\u3c/i\u3e Envenomation

Context: Medicinal plants encompass a rich source of active compounds that can neutralize snake venoms or toxins. Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. (Costaceae) is used by the Amazonian population to treat inflammation, pain and other pathological manifestations. Objective: To evaluate the influence of C. spicatus aqueous extract on edema, peritonitis, nociception, coagulation, haemorrhage and indirect haemolytic activity induced by Bothrops atrox venom (BAV). Materials and methods: Dried and pulverized leaves were extracted with distilled water. Envenoming was induced by administration of B. atrox snake venom in Swiss Webster mice. The experimental groups consisted of BAV (at the minimum dose to induce measurable biological responses) and C. spicatus extract (CSE, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 ml phosphate-buffered saline) administered individually and in combination (BAVCSE). PBS was used as a control. In vitro assays were also conducted in order to evaluate phospholipase A2 coagulant activities (indirect haemolytic method). Results: CSE significantly reduced the venom-induced edema and nociception at all concentrations tested and inhibited migration of inflammatory cells at the three least concentrations (5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 ml PBS). CSE was not effective in inhibiting coagulant, haemorrhagic and indirect haemolytic activities of the venom. Discussion and conclusion: The data suggest that CSE could exhibit a central mechanism for pain inhibition, and may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. These findings corroborate the traditional administration of C. spicatus decoction to treat inflammatory disorders, including those caused by B. atrox envenomation

Antiophidian activity of Brosimum guianense (aubl) Huber

International audienceSnakebites envenomations are a problem public health in worldwide due to the high rates of morbidity and mortality. The Bothrops venom causes local tissue damage and inflammation is one of the most important events that occur. At present, effective treatment for snakebites is serum therapy with antivenom, which neutralizes systemic alterations but does not prevent local damage that can cause disabilities. Many plants are used in popular medicine to treat these accidents but few attempts have been made to investigate the scientific validity of these assertions. In Amazon region, indigenous and local people use the macerated bark of Brosimum guinanensis applied in the form of cataplasm, on the site of snakebite. This study aimed to analyze the ability of the Brosimum guianensis aqueous extract in the neutralization several effects induced by Bothrops atrox snake venom to investigate the scientific validity of folk medicine informations by means of controlled experiments. Our results showed that Brosimum guianensis aqueous extract was not effective to inhibit oedema, peritonitis, coagulant, myotoxic, phospholipase A2 activity (indirect hemolytic method) induced by B. atrox venom, but was able to inhibited significantly hemorrhagic and nociceptive activities. These results support a potential effect of this extract as a compounds source for biotechonological application and synthesis of new drugs with therapeutic purpose

Pharmacological Activity of \u3ci\u3eCostus spicatus\u3c/i\u3e in Experimental \u3ci\u3eBothrops atrox\u3c/i\u3e Envenomation

Context: Medicinal plants encompass a rich source of active compounds that can neutralize snake venoms or toxins. Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. (Costaceae) is used by the Amazonian population to treat inflammation, pain and other pathological manifestations. Objective: To evaluate the influence of C. spicatus aqueous extract on edema, peritonitis, nociception, coagulation, haemorrhage and indirect haemolytic activity induced by Bothrops atrox venom (BAV). Materials and methods: Dried and pulverized leaves were extracted with distilled water. Envenoming was induced by administration of B. atrox snake venom in Swiss Webster mice. The experimental groups consisted of BAV (at the minimum dose to induce measurable biological responses) and C. spicatus extract (CSE, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 ml phosphate-buffered saline) administered individually and in combination (BAVCSE). PBS was used as a control. In vitro assays were also conducted in order to evaluate phospholipase A2 coagulant activities (indirect haemolytic method). Results: CSE significantly reduced the venom-induced edema and nociception at all concentrations tested and inhibited migration of inflammatory cells at the three least concentrations (5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 ml PBS). CSE was not effective in inhibiting coagulant, haemorrhagic and indirect haemolytic activities of the venom. Discussion and conclusion: The data suggest that CSE could exhibit a central mechanism for pain inhibition, and may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. These findings corroborate the traditional administration of C. spicatus decoction to treat inflammatory disorders, including those caused by B. atrox envenomation