Cordia salicifolia and Lafoensia pacari plant extracts against the local effects of Bothrops jararacussu and Philodryas olfersii snake venoms

Philodryas olfersii produces similar local effects to Bothrops jararacussu snakebite, which can induce misidentification and bothropic antivenom administration. Antivenom therapy is effective, but has its limitations regarding local damage. Since plants are used in folk medicine to treat snakebite victims, we evaluated the protective properties of Cordia salicifolia and Lafoensia pacari extracts against Philodryas olfersii and Bothrops jararacussu venoms. Preparations pretreated with both extracts inhibited > 90% the B. jararacussu venom-induced neuromuscular blockade, and 52% to 81% the P. olfersii venom-induced blockade. C. salicifolia inhibited the myonecrosis promoted by both venoms; however, L. pacari prevented only the myofilaments hypercontraction. Regarding haemorrhagic activity, C. salicifolia was more effective against B. jararacussu venom, while L. pacari was more effective against P. olfersii venom. On the other hand, for oedema-forming activity the results were the opposite. Considering that both extracts prevented (to different levels) the main manifestations of both snakebites (local symptoms), we endorse further studies involving these plants as coadjuvant in snakebite therapeutics.

Keywords: Neuromuscular junction; antiophidic; haemorrhage; myotoxicity; oedema; protective effect.