Abstract
Uvaria chamae is a well known medicinal plant in Nigerian traditional medicine for the management of
many diseases, but investigations concerning its pharmacological characteristics are rare. In this study, we evaluate
its venom neutralizing properties against Naja nigricollis venom in rats. Freshly collected Uvaria chamae leaves
were air dried, powdered and extracted in methanol. To study the antivenom properties, albino rats were orally
administered with a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight and 1 h later, the venom was administered intraperitoneally at a
dose of 0.08 mg/kg body weight of rats. Albino rats (male) weighing between 180-200 g were randomly divided into
five (5) groups of three (3). Groups 1-5 received water, normal saline, venom, Uvareia chamae and venom, Uvaria
chamae, respectively. Blood clothing time, bleeding time, antipyretic activity, haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, creatine
kinase, AST, ALP and ALT activities total protein antioxidant activity and some blood electrolytes, plasma urea and
uric acid were measured. Our results showed that Uvaria chamae methanol extract neutralized some biological
effects of Naja nigricollis venom. The venom increased the rectal temperature, enzyme activities, bleeding time and
other blood parameters. The plant extract was able to reduce these parameters in the extract treated groups. Details
of the results are discussed. From this study, it is clear that U. chamae leaf extract had antivenom activity in animal
models. The above results indicate that the plant extract possess potent snake venom neutralizing capacity and could
potentially be used for therapeutic purpose in case of snake bite envenomation
many diseases, but investigations concerning its pharmacological characteristics are rare. In this study, we evaluate
its venom neutralizing properties against Naja nigricollis venom in rats. Freshly collected Uvaria chamae leaves
were air dried, powdered and extracted in methanol. To study the antivenom properties, albino rats were orally
administered with a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight and 1 h later, the venom was administered intraperitoneally at a
dose of 0.08 mg/kg body weight of rats. Albino rats (male) weighing between 180-200 g were randomly divided into
five (5) groups of three (3). Groups 1-5 received water, normal saline, venom, Uvareia chamae and venom, Uvaria
chamae, respectively. Blood clothing time, bleeding time, antipyretic activity, haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, creatine
kinase, AST, ALP and ALT activities total protein antioxidant activity and some blood electrolytes, plasma urea and
uric acid were measured. Our results showed that Uvaria chamae methanol extract neutralized some biological
effects of Naja nigricollis venom. The venom increased the rectal temperature, enzyme activities, bleeding time and
other blood parameters. The plant extract was able to reduce these parameters in the extract treated groups. Details
of the results are discussed. From this study, it is clear that U. chamae leaf extract had antivenom activity in animal
models. The above results indicate that the plant extract possess potent snake venom neutralizing capacity and could
potentially be used for therapeutic purpose in case of snake bite envenomation
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 41-50 |
| Journal | British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Apr 2013 |