Evaluation of anti-snake venom activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta, Ageratum conyzoide and Anogeisus leiocarpus on West African Carpet Viper (Echis ocellatus) in envenomed Sprague Dawley rats.

Abstract

Based on their ethno medical usage, the three medicinal Based on their ethno medical usage, the three medicinal plants studied were obtained from the southern part of Ondo State, Nigeria. Their background information was gathered through interviews with native and local herbalists. The leaves were air dried, reduced into coarse powder and extracted with ethanol. The result revealed that the phytochemicals in the plant extracts contained binding properties that are active against snake bites. These secondary metabolites effectively neutralized and prevent tissue damage induced by venom toxins. Severe pain which has been recorgnised as one of the age long symptoms of Echis ocellatus envenomation was attenuated by the three plants investigated. They possessed phytochemical components which alleviated the writhing movements developed from severe pains. The blockage of blood flow to body organs was also effectively arrested by the plant extracts. At 200 mg/kg b.wt, 30 minutes after venom administration, Anogeisus leiocapus extract recorded the highest percentage of survived rats. At 600 mg/kg b.wt, both Anogeisus leicapus and Euphobia hirta exerted 100% protection, while that of Ageratum conyzoide extract stood at 88-89% survival of rats. The percentage of survived rats increased dose dependently. Severe pain which is one of the age long symptoms of Echis ocellatus envenomation was attenuated by the plant extracts investigated. They possessed phytochemicals which alleviated writting movements developed from severe pains.