- 1
- TECBIOFAR, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
- 2
- PNBIO, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
- 3
- NPPNS,
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São
Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Federal University of Bahia,
Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil.
- 4
- NPPNS, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- 5
- LASID, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
Abstract
Snakebites are a serious worldwide public health problem. In Brazil, about 90% of accidents are attributed to snakes from the Bothrops
genus. The specific treatment consists of antivenom serum therapy,
which has some limitations such as inability to neutralize local
effects, difficult access in some regions, risk of immunological
reactions, and high cost. Thus, the search for alternative therapies to
treat snakebites is relevant. Jatropha mollissima (Euphorbiaceae)
is a medicinal plant popularly used in folk medicine as an antiophidic
remedy. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of the aqueous
leaf extract from J. mollissima on local effects induced by Bothrops
venoms. High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array
Detection analysis and Mass Spectrometry analysis of aqueous leaf
extract confirmed the presence of the flavonoids isoschaftoside,
schaftoside, isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin. This
extract, at 50-200 mg/kg doses administered by intraperitoneal route,
showed significant inhibitory potential against local effects induced by
Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops jararaca snake
venoms. Local skin hemorrhage, local edema, leukocyte migration, and
myotoxicity were significantly inhibited by the extract. These results
demonstrate that J. mollissima extract possesses inhibitory
potential, especially against bothropic venoms, suggesting its potential
as an adjuvant in treatment of snakebites.
