The study was undertaken to investigate the evaluation of neutralization potential of viperarussellisnake venom by extract of Euphorbia hirta. The Euphorbia hirta whole plant was extracted using ethanol and tested for acute toxicity according to OECD-425 guidelines. The ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta at 100, 200, 400 mg/kg were evaluated for its efficacy to neutralize various actions of the venom like lethality, necrotizing activity, edema forming activity and hemorrhagic activity. Ethanolic plant extract when administered orally, effectively neutralized lethality induced by 2LD50 and 3LD50 of viperarussellivenomat dose levels 200 and 400mg/kg body weight(in-vivo neutralization). In in-vitro studies, plant extract at all dose levels, i.e. 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight effectively neutralized 2LD50 and 3LD50 of viperarussellivenom. It also significantly reduces viper venom induced hemorrhage, necrosis and edema at all dose levels in rats. Hence the present finding suggest that ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirtaplant possesses significant neutralizing capacity of snake viperarusselli venom which may be beneficial in the treatment of snake bite. Further study on isolation of active constituent from this plant extract is needed for development of new chemical antidote for snake envenomation.

Prasanna Shama Kandige

Papers

Research Article Evaluation of Neutralization Potential of Vipera russelli Snake Venom By Extract of Euphorbia hirta