In vitro Neutralization of Naja haje Venom with Methanol Extract of Bulb of Urginea altissima linn

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants to treat snake envenomation is a common practice among the rural dwellers especially in Africa. This could be attributed to the  scarcity of anti-venom readily available or its high cost. It has been claimed that the extract of the plant Urginea altissima Linn if taken orally alleviates the pain and hence neutralizes the venom effect in envenomed human. This study was therefore, aimed to determine the neutralizing effect of Urginea altissima Linn. On a key enzyme (phospholipase A2) found in Naja haje venom. Result of the phytochemical analysis of the crude methanolic extract of Urginea altissima Linn. Showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and alkaloids which are potential anti-venom compounds in plants. The LD50 of the venom of N. haje was found to be 0.183 mg/kg. The venom-induced hemolytic activity was significantly reduced by 1mg/mL of Urginea altissima extract on the venom. The PLA2 activity of crude venom was reduced by extracts of Urginea altissima Linn. Significantly at (p < 0.05). The extracts of Urginea altissima have some beneficial effects on some toxic effects of venom. Thus, the use of this plant in ethno-medicine has some scientific basis.