Edema induced by Bothrops asper (Squamata: Viperidae) snake venom and its inhibition by Costa Rican plant extracts

Rev Biol Trop. 2006 Jun;54(2):245-52. doi: 10.15517/rbt.v54i2.13865.

Abstract

We tested the capacity of leaf (Urera baccifera, Loasa speciosa, Urtica leptuphylla, Chaptalia nutans, and Satureja viminea) and root (Uncaria tomentosa) extracts to inhibit edema induced by Bothrops asper snake venom. Edema-forming activity was studied plethysmographically in the rat hind paw model. Groups of rats were injected intraperitoneally with various doses of each extract and, one hour later, venom was injected subcutaneously in the right hind paw. Edema was assessed at various time intervals. The edematogenic activity was inhibited in those animals that received an injection U. tomentosa, C. nutans or L. speciosa extract. The extract of U. baccifera showed a slight inhibition of the venom effect. Extract from S. viminea and, to a lesser extent that of U. leptuphylla, induced a pro-inflammatory effect, increasing the edema at doses of 250 mg/kg at one and two hours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antivenins / therapeutic use
  • Bothrops*
  • Costa Rica
  • Crotalid Venoms / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Crotalid Venoms / toxicity*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antivenins
  • Crotalid Venoms
  • Plant Extracts