Aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. inhibits enzymatic and biological actions of Bothrops jararaca snake venom
Research article published in PloS one (2014)
Abstract
Snakebites are a serious public health problem due their high morbi-mortality. The main available specific treatment is the antivenom serum therapy, which has some disadvantages, such as poor neutralization of local effects, risk of immunological reactions, high cost and difficult access in some regions. In this context, the search for alternative therapies is relevant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antiophidic properties of Jatropha gossypiifolia, a medicinal plant used in folk medicine to treat snakebites. The aqueous leaf extract of the plant was prepared by decoction and phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sugars, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes and/or steroids and proteins. The extract was able to inhibit enzymatic and biologic activities induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom in vitro and in vivo. The blood incoagulability was efficiently inhibited by the extract by oral route. The hemorrhagic and edematogenic local effects were also inhibited, the former by up to 56% and the latter by 100%, in animals treated with extract by oral and intraperitoneal routes, respectively. The inhibition of myotoxic action of B. jararaca reached almost 100%. According to enzymatic tests performed, it is possible to suggest that the antiophidic activity may be due an inhibitory action upon snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and/or serine proteinases (SVSPs), including fibrinogenolytic enzymes, clotting factors activators and thrombin like enzymes (SVTLEs), as well upon catalytically inactive phospholipases A2 (Lys49 PLA2). Anti-inflammatory activity, at least partially, could also be related to the inhibition of local effects. Additionally, protein precipitating and antioxidant activities may also be important features contributing to the activity presented. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the potential antiophidic activity of J. gossypiifolia extract, including its significant action upon local effects, suggesting that it may be used as a new source of bioactive molecules against bothropic venom.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. inhibits enzymatic and biological actions of Bothrops jararaca snake venom.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio evaluó las propiedades antiofídicas de un extracto acuoso foliar de Jatropha gossypiifolia (preparado por decocción) frente al veneno de la serpiente Bothrops jararaca, encontrando inhibición de la incoagulabilidad sanguínea (vía oral), efectos hemorrágicos (hasta un 56%), edema (100%) y miotoxicidad (casi el 100%). El análisis fitoquímico identificó azúcares, alcaloides, flavonoides, taninos, terpenos/esteroides y proteínas, y las pruebas enzimáticas sugirieron que la actividad antiofídica podría derivarse de la inhibición de metaloproteinasas del veneno de serpiente, serina-proteasas (incluidas las enzimas tipo trombina) y fosfolipasas A2 catalíticamente inactivas. Para el dominio de ASH, la relevancia es muy indirecta: el estudio involucra tangencialmente a las enzimas tipo trombina como uno de varios objetivos del veneno inhibidos por un extracto vegetal. No se incluyen sanguijuelas, moléculas derivadas de sanguijuelas ni conceptos de hirudoterapia. El estudio es preclínico (modelos in vitro y animales) y se refiere al tratamiento de mordeduras de serpiente, sin aplicabilidad a la terapia con sanguijuelas.
Citación
Aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. inhibits enzymatic and biological actions of Bothrops jararaca snake venom
Felix-Silva J et al. · PloS one, 2014
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026