OBJECTIVE

Viperid venom-induced chronic local-toxicity continues even after anti-snake venom treatment. Therefore, traditional antidote Albizia lebbeck L. (Fabaceae) seed extract was tested against Echis carinatus S. (Viperidae) venom (ECV)-induced local toxicity to evaluate its complementary remedy.

METHODS

Soxhlet extraction of A. lebbeck seeds was performed with the increasing polarity of solvents (n-hexane to water); the extract was screened for phytochemicals (alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, saponins, steroids and tannins). In preliminary in vitro analysis, A. lebbeck methanolic extract (ALME) demonstrated significant inhibition of ECV proteases, the major enzyme-toxin responsible for local- toxicity. Therefore, in vitro neutralizing potential of ALME was further evaluated against hyaluronidases and phospholipase A2 (1:1-1:100 w/w). In addition, alleviation of ECV induced characteristic local- toxicity [haemorrhage (i.d.) and myotoxicity (i.m.)] was determined in mice.

RESULTS

ALME contained high concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids and demonstrated significant in vitro inhibition of ECV protease (IC50 = 36.32 μg, p < 0.0001) and hyaluronidase (IC50 = 91.95 μg, p < 0.0001) at 1:100 w/w. ALME significantly neutralized ECV induced haemorrhage (ED50 = 26.37 μg, p < 0.0001) and myotoxicity by significantly reducing serum creatinine kinase (ED50 = 37.5 μg, p < 0.0001) and lactate dehydrogenase (ED50 = 31.44 μg, p = 0.0021) levels at 1:50 w/w.

CONCLUSIONS

ALME demonstrated significant neutralization of ECV enzymes that contribute in local tissue damage and haemostatic alterations. The study scientifically supports the anecdotal use of A. lebbeck in complementary medicine and identifies ALME as principle fraction responsible for antivenom properties.