Authors :
Kennedy K. Yego; Eliud N.M. Njagi; George O. Orinda; Joseph K. Gikunju
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3vUvxIW
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7527603
Abstract :
The present management regime of snake bites
requires the use of anti-venom immunoglobulins (Igs).
However, these anti-venoms have the limitations of being
expensive, requiring cold storage facilities, and having
problems of hypersensitivity reactions in some
individuals. Amaranthus spinosus plant medicine has
traditionally been used in managing snake bites in UasinGishu County, Kenya. However, its efficacy has not been
scientifically validated. Therefore, this study aimed to
determine in vivo and in vitro the efficacy of the medicinal
plant against Naja subfulva venom using the mouse model,
agarose-erythrocyte-egg yolk gel plate, and humancitrated plasma methods. The antivenom studies suggest
that the aqueous plant extracts possess antivenom activity
against N. subfulva venom both in vivo and in vitro. In
conclusion, this study confirmed that aqueous extracts of
Amaranthus spinosus were effective in neutralizing in vivo
and in vitro snake venom activity of Naja subfulva.
Keywords :
Median effective dose (ED50), Median lethal dose (LD50), Phospholipase A2, Toxicity, Phytochemicals.
The present management regime of snake bites
requires the use of anti-venom immunoglobulins (Igs).
However, these anti-venoms have the limitations of being
expensive, requiring cold storage facilities, and having
problems of hypersensitivity reactions in some
individuals. Amaranthus spinosus plant medicine has
traditionally been used in managing snake bites in UasinGishu County, Kenya. However, its efficacy has not been
scientifically validated. Therefore, this study aimed to
determine in vivo and in vitro the efficacy of the medicinal
plant against Naja subfulva venom using the mouse model,
agarose-erythrocyte-egg yolk gel plate, and humancitrated plasma methods. The antivenom studies suggest
that the aqueous plant extracts possess antivenom activity
against N. subfulva venom both in vivo and in vitro. In
conclusion, this study confirmed that aqueous extracts of
Amaranthus spinosus were effective in neutralizing in vivo
and in vitro snake venom activity of Naja subfulva.
Keywords :
Median effective dose (ED50), Median lethal dose (LD50), Phospholipase A2, Toxicity, Phytochemicals.
