Abarema cochliacarposExtract Decreases the Inflammatory Process and Skeletal Muscle Injury Induced byBothrops leucurusVenom

Abstract

Snakebites are a public health problem, especially in tropical countries. However, treatment with antivenom has limited effectiveness against venoms’ local effects. Here, we investigated the ability ofAbarema cochliacarposhydroethanolic extract (EAc) to protect mice against injection ofBothrops leucurusvenom. Swiss mice received perimuscular venom injection and were subsequently treated orally with EAc in different doses. Treatment with EAc 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg reduced the edema induced byB. leucurusin 1%, 13%, and 39%, respectively. Although lower doses showed no antihypernociceptive effect in the Von Frey test, the higher dose significantly reduced hyperalgesia induced by the venom. Antimyotoxic activity of EAc was also observed by microscopy assessment, with treated muscles presenting preserved structures, decreased edema, and inflammatory infiltrate as compared to untreated ones. Finally, on the rotarod test, the treated mice showed better motor function, once muscle fibers were preserved and there were less edema and pain. Treated mice could stand four times more time on the rotating rod than untreated ones. Our results have shown that EAc presented relevant activities against injection ofB. leucurusvenom in mice, suggesting that it can be considered as an adjuvant in the treatment of envenomation.