Bungarus caeruleus venom neutralization activity of Azima tetracantha Lam. Extract.

Azima tetracantha Lam. is native to Africa and India. The plant and its parts are used for treating various ailments including snake bites. The different concentrations of ethyl acetate leaf extract of A. tetracantha were used to neutralize the toxic effect of venom through dose dependent enzyme studies and in vivo studies. The extract was able to neutralize the 5' nucleotidase, phospholipase A₂, Phosphodiesterae, phosphomonoesterase, acetylcholinesterase and hyaluronidase in a dose dependent manner with concentrations ranging from 43.98 -340.1 μg/mL of extract. The extract could retain the lysis of fibrinogen at the concentration of 1:10 (venom: extract, w/w) and also the lysis of lecithin was reduced at a concentration of 1:25 (venom: extract, w/w). The extract was able to neutralize the LD₅₀ of venom in both mice and embryo and also reduce the myotoxic and edema properties of the venom in mice models. The venom did not show any procoagulant and hemorrhagic effect. The leaf extract possess adequate compounds/phytochemicals that could neutralize the toxic properties/activity of the B. caeruleus venom.