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Areca catechu seeds and their extract/s are currently used to treat various ailments and infections including snakebites. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the inhibiting/neutralizing effect of ethyl acetate and aqueous ethanolic seed extracts of A. catechu on Bungarus caeruleus (krait) venom. The enzyme activities and their inhibition were evaluated using standard procedures (in vitro). In vivo studies were conducted using chick embryos and murine models. The extracts inhibited hyaluronidase and phospholipase A2 activities. Protease activity was neutralized by the aqueous ethanolic extract only. The IC50 value of aqueous ethanolic extract for hyaluronidase was 0.001 g/mL, while that for the ethyl acetate extract for phospholipase A2 was 0.006 g/mL. In addition, both the extracts neutralized the indirect hemolysis and fibrinogenolytic activity induced by B. caeruleus venom. The LD50 for the chick embryos was 4.9 µg/egg. The 50 and 100 µg aqueous ethanolic extracts neutralized the LD50 and the challenging dose (3LD50) of venom effectively in the chick embryo model. The LD50 of B. caeruleus venom in mice was 0.1927 µg/kg; the extract extended the survival time of the mice from 25 min to 30 and 35 min in 1:10 and 1:20 ((w/w) venom:extract) ratios, respectively. The extract also neutralized myotoxic activity. The A. catechu seed extract showed promising inhibitory properties against B. caeruleus venom. In this regard, academia and industries should work collaboratively to develop and formulate a cost-effective first-aid drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tabernaemontana alternifolia root is traditionally used and practiced among few Indian tribes as an antidote for snakebites. Objective: To combat and neutralize Naja naja venom using methanolic root extract of Tabernaemontana alternifolia and to explore its efficacy on venom biomarkers in search of newer herbal antidote or first-aid-point of care for therapeutics.Materialization.Pharmacological activities such as fibrinogenolytic, direct and indirect hemolytic activities for the neutralization of the venom were evaluated. Lethal toxicity annulation studies were performed using the murine model by pre-incubation and post-treatment protocols. Further, the neutralization of edema and myotoxicity were also evaluated. Results: Electrophoretic analysis revealed that the complete neutralization of fibrinogen degradation was observed at 1:10 (w/w) (venom to extract). T. alternifolia exhibited an effective dose (ED50) value of 87.20 µg/mL for venom-induced hemolysis. Venom at 2 µg concentration produced 11 mm of hemolytic radiance and was neutralized at 1:20 (w/w) venom to extract concentration. The survival time and the neurotoxic symptoms in mice were concluded to be delayed by both the methods of lethal toxicity inhibition using methanol extract. The edema ratio reduced the venom to extract ratio of 1:20 (w/w) from 173 ± 45% to 133.61% when subjected to 5 µg of venom concentration. The plant extract significantly neutralized the myotoxic activity. Conclusion: T. alternifolia methanolic root extract could be a potent contributor in the effective treatment of N. naja venom-induced toxicity.

Areca catechu seeds and their extract/s are currently used to treat various ailments and infections including snakebites. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the inhibiting/neutralizing effect of ethyl acetate and aqueous ethanolic seed extracts of A. catechu on Bungarus caeruleus (krait) venom. The enzyme activities and their inhibition were evaluated using standard procedures (in vitro). In vivo studies were conducted using chick embryos and murine models. The extracts inhibited hyaluronidase and phospholipase A2 activities. Protease activity was neutralized by the aqueous ethanolic extract only. The IC50 value of aqueous ethanolic extract for hyaluronidase was 0.001 g/mL, while that for the ethyl acetate extract for phospholipase A2 was 0.006 g/mL. In addition, both the extracts neutralized the indirect hemolysis and fibrinogenolytic activity induced by B. caeruleus venom. The LD50 for the chick embryos was 4.9 µg/egg. The 50 and 100 µg aqueous ethanolic extracts neutralized the LD50 and the challenging dose (3LD50) of venom effectively in the chick embryo model. The LD50 of B. caeruleus venom in mice was 0.1927 µg/kg; the extract extended the survival time of the mice from 25 min to 30 and 35 min in 1:10 and 1:20 ((w/w) venom:extract) ratios, respectively. The extract also neutralized myotoxic activity. The A. catechu seed extract showed promising inhibitory properties against B. caeruleus venom. In this regard, academia and industries should work collaboratively to develop and formulate a cost-effective first-aid drug.

Tabernaemontana alternifolia root is traditionally used and practiced among few Indian tribes as an antidote for snakebites. To combat and neutralize Naja naja venom using methanolic root extract of Tabernaemontana alternifolia and to explore its efficacy on venom biomarkers in search of newer herbal antidote or first-aid-point of care for therapeutics. Materialization. Pharmacological activities such as fibrinogenolytic, direct and indirect hemolytic activities for the neutralization of the venom were evaluated. Lethal toxicity annulation studies were performed using the murine model by pre-incubation and post-treatment protocols. Further, the neutralization of edema and myotoxicity were also evaluated. Electrophoretic analysis revealed that the complete neutralization of fibrinogen degradation was observed at 1:10 (w/w) (venom to extract). T. alternifolia exhibited an effective dose (ED 50) value of 87.20 µg/mL for venom-induced hemolysis. Venom at 2 µg concentration produced 11 mm of hemolytic radiance and was neutralized at 1:20 (w/w) venom to extract concentration. The survival time and the neurotoxic symptoms in mice were concluded to be delayed by both the methods of lethal toxicity inhibition using methanol extract. The edema ratio reduced the venom to extract ratio of 1:20 (w/w) from 173 ± 45% to 133.61% when subjected to 5 µg of venom concentration. The plant extract significantly neutralized the myotoxic activity. T. alternifolia methanolic root extract could be a potent contributor in the effective treatment of N. naja venom-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]