Anti-Snake Venom Activity of Indigofera Hirsuta Extracts Against Naja Nigricollis Venom

Abstract

  Indogofera hirsuta has reportedly been used in traditional medicine to treat snake envenomation. The study is aimed at exploring the potential of the plant for antivenom activity using standard methods. Preliminary phytochemical screening on the extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids/terpenes, cardiac glycosides and saponins. Acute toxicity studies conducted on mice (ip) for different extract (Methanol, Butanol and Chloroform) using Lorkes method gave an LD50 of 1131.3mg/kg each, suggesting the plant to be less toxic. The antivenin effect of the extracts was tested against Naja nigricollis venom using mice. Maximum protection was observed in ex vivo model at an administered dose of (LD99 +260) with 100% survival for all mice used the extracts and a moderate survival rate (50%) at a dose of (LD99 + 80). Appreciable protection was observed in-vivo model at an administered dose of (LD99 + 500) with 83.3% survival for methanolic extract, moderate survival rate (50%) at a dose of (LD99 + 250) and relatively lower survival rate (33.3%) at a dose of (LD99 + 125) for all mice used the extracts. The results confirmed that extracts of Indigofera hirsuta contains bioactive constituents with significant antivenin activity (P<0.05) under both ex vivo and in vivo conditions and thus providing scientific evidence to support the traditional claims for use in the treatment of snake bite.