Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

ORIGINAL PAPER

Ethnobotanic study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae) in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and its anti-snake venom effects on mouse tissue

Gallardo-Casas CA^I,II; Guevara-Balcázar G^I; Morales-Ramos E^II; Tadeo-Jiménez Y^II; Gutiérrez-Flores O^II; Jiménez-Sánchez N^II; Valadez-Omaña MT^II; Valenzuela-Vargas MT^III; Castillo-Hernández MC^I

^ISection of Graduate Studies and Research, Higher School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico

^IIDepartment of Research and Biology, Center of Scientific and Technological Studies 6 "Miguel Othón de Mendizábal", National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico

^IIIDepartment of Morphology, National School of Biological Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico

^{Correspondence to}

ABSTRACT

In Mexico, medicinal plants are widely used. The use of Randia aculeata by healers against snakebites has never been scientifically tested in relation to possible effects on blood parameters and muscle tissue damage. Interviews were carried out in Jamapa, Veracuz, Mexico, with local residents to collect information about the traditional use of Randia aculeata. In this locality, seven pieces of fruit from the plant are mixed in a liter of alcohol, and then administered orally against snakebites. By using histological techniques and a murine model, we explored its cytoprotective properties against the effects of Crotalus simus and Bothrops asper venoms. Possible protections provided by the plant against tissue damage to skeletal and cardiac muscles and against the typical loss of red blood cells were analyzed. Randia aculeata caused an increase in microhematocrit and total hemoglobin, parameters that are often decremented in association with the loss of red blood cells, which is a characteristic effect of animal venom. Randia aculeata was also shown to protect against the lowering of platelet levels caused by Bothrops asper venom. Finally, Randia aculeata produced a partial inhibition of necrosis following administration of snake venom in skeletal and myocardial muscles. The present results provide solid evidence for the traditional use of Randia aculeata against snakebites, as demonstrated by protection against muscular tissue damage and the diminution of red blood cells.

Key words: Rubiaceae, antivenoms, Bothrops, Crotalus, cytoprotection.

INTRODUCTION

Ophidian accidents represent a serious health problem, as they lead to an estimated 50,000 deaths and another 22,000 permanent injuries, including amputations and other losses of bodily functions that impede proper development within society (1). Among medical treatments for such accidents, medicinal plants used as ophidian antidotes generate special interest because of their potential pharmacological use. However, information remains scarce and many cases have not been subjected to true scientific analysis.

In Mexico, a few plants have been evaluated including Brongniartia podalyrioides and B. intermedia, which were found to contain edunol, a substance that neutralizes the cardiological and toxic effects of the Bothrops atrox venom (2). In the country there are snakebite healers called "culebreros" that claim to know the proper antiophidic herbal remedies and methods of application (3). These healers often represent the only alternative given the lack of medical services that could otherwise provide anti-ophidian serum based on scientific research. In the best of cases, such a healer is apprenticed based on generations of practice that has led to an accumulation of knowledge on the effectiveness of distinct medicinal plants. A healer with this background is in reality keeping a valuable tradition alive (4). However, information on this use of medicinal plants is scarce and in many cases lacks scientific analysis.

Veracruz ranks second among Mexican states in the number of snakebite accidents. Species confirmed in these cases are Bothrops asper (48%) followed by Crotalus simus (5). One of the towns in Veracruz that has maintained the tradition of snakebite healers is Acayucan, where different plants are used for this purpose. One of these plants is Randia aculeata (crucetillo). The popular use of this particular plant has spread to Jamapa, a town in central Veracruz dedicated mainly to agriculture and farming, where local people prepare, without consulting a snakebite healer, an alcoholic beverage made from the fruit of this plant, which they drink when they (or even their pets) are bitten by a snake.

The aim of the present study was to make an ethnobotanical study of Randia aculeata (Rubiaceae), and test the plant under laboratory conditions in order to confirm or negate the validity of its active ingredients as well as its usual method of administration, by analyzing its effects on skeletal muscle, heart and blood in a murine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical Study

We followed the methodology created by Vázquez-Ramírez et al. (6). One hundred questionnaires were applied in the municipality of Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico. While the interviews were taking place with the local people, we always showed them a specimen of the plant to avoid confusion. We visited the homes and businesses of residents and interviewed people that were willing to answer our questions. The questionnaire can be seen in Figure 1.

Preparation of Plants

The plants, collected in rural communities in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico, were identified by a specialist in medicinal plants, Abigail Aguilar-Contreras, as Randia aculeata. A specimen of this species was deposited in the Herbarium of Medicinal Plants at the Centro Medico Siglo XXI hospital, and was registered as a plant for traditional medical use. The plant was prepared in the traditional manner where seven complete pieces of fruit were chopped up and left immersed in 1 L of sherry wine for one week (7).

Venom

Venoms from Crotalus simus and Bothrops asper were kindly donated by Edgar Reina-Ponce and Orlando Reina-Ponce, directors of Museo Viviente Veracruz Salvaje in Veracruz, Mexico. The quantification of proteins in the venom was performed by means of the Bradford method (8), and after that the LD₅₀ was determined by the Lorke method (9).

Animals

Thirty-eight male CD1 mice (20-25 g) were used. They were maintained in groups of six or eight in a Plexiglas cage, with food and water provided ad libitum in a room with constant temperature (21 ± 2ºC) and a 12-hour light/dark cycle (lights on at 8 am). All experimental procedures described in this study are in accordance with the guidelines established by the Secretary of Health in the Seventh Title of the Regulations of the General Law of Health Regarding Health Research and the Mexican Official Standard NOM-062-ZOO-1999, which stipulates technical specifications for production, care, and use of laboratory animals.

The animals were randomly assigned to six groups, including a control group that received 0.9% saline administered by intragastric (IG) route and 0.9% saline administered by intramuscular (IM) route (n = 6), and five experimental groups that received:

1. R. aculeata IG + 0.9% saline IM (n = 6),

2. 0.9% saline IG + 1 mg/kg B. asper venom IM (n = 8),

3. R. aculeata IG + 1 mg/kg B. asper venom IM (n = 8),

4. 0.9% saline IG + 5 mg/kg C. simus venom IM (n = 8),

5. R. aculeata IG + 5 mg/kg C. simus venom IM (n = 8).

The administration of saline or R. aculeata 10 mL/kg IG was made immediately before saline or venom administration IM and repeated every hour (5 mL/kg) for the next five hours. Twenty-four hours after administration, the mice were killed by decapitation. Blood was subjected to hematic biometry while the hearts and skeletal muscles were quickly removed and fixed in 10% formaldehyde to determine cellular damage by histology (10).

Statistical Analysis

Data are expressed as means ± SE (standard error) and the values of all parameters were analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Jamapa is located in the center of the state of Veracruz, coordinates 19º03' latitude north and 96º14' latitude west. Its altitude is 57 meters above sea level. The map of the location can be seen in Figure 2. All the interviews of the ethnobotanical study were realized in this zone; 60% of the respondents were adult females and 40% adult males. This is in accordance with the national census, which indicates similar percentages for each gender in this town (11). Of all interviewees, 62% had intimate knowledge of the plant (4% local healers, 12% merchants who trade with the plant, and 46% who had taken the plant as a cure), while 35% knew about the plant but had never used it and 3% did not know of its existence.

Figure 3 shows the different illnesses in which the plant is employed and its frequency of use. Even though the usage of the plant has been diversified, its main purpose is still to treat the effects of venoms of animals including snakes, spiders, scorpions, toads, bees and wasps (3). Other uses are as an anti-inflammatory or painkilling agent, properties that may also be coadjuvant, by making a snakebite less painful and less swollen, effects due to the action of the plant against the tissue necrosis and the damage induced by the fangs themselves (12, 13). Less common applications of this plant are in the treatment of such chronic diseases as diabetes and cancer; furthermore, an immune modulator effect has been reported (14). With the information gathered an ethnobotanical table of R. aculeata was created (Table 1), where it can be seen that "crucetillo" or "crucetillo macho" are the most popular names (crucetillo due to the cross shaped flower of the species) of the plant. All of the interviewees made the preparation of the plant by using only the fruit, while only 6% did not report including the peel.

The reported method of use was always the same: seven pieces of fruit were chopped up and left immersed in 1 L of sherry wine, beer or cane liquor for one week. None of the interviewees mixed this fruit with other vegetable species. The method of administration was reported as oral or topical, depending on the case. The plant is not only used against B. asper (nauyaca) and Crotalus sp. (rattlesnake) venoms, but also against Micrurus sp., Hymenoepimecis sp., Apis sp. , Latrodectus sp., and Centruroides sp. It is even employed as a remedy for pets that accidentally bite Bufo toads. Thus, future investigation is needed to assess the effectiveness of this plant against different venoms.

Regarding the in vitro study, the results obtained for the LD₅₀ were 2.5 mg/kg for B. asper and 10 mg/kg for C. simus. These data are consistent with the toxicological findings already reported for other species of snakes (15).

The groups treated with venoms (B. asper or C. simus) presented a mortality rate of 37.5%. The groups that received R. aculeata and venoms showed 12.5% mortality. There were no deaths in the control group or among the animals treated with R. aculeata only.

Figure 4 shows the effects of the venom and R. aculeata on the parameters of red blood cells. The decrease in these cells after experimental application of snake venom is consistent with the hematological findings from Floriano et al. (16), who observed similar results in rats. We also found in our model a decrease in microhematocrits (Figure 4 – A) and in the total hemoglobin (Figure 4 – B), effects commonly associated with the loss of red blood cells. Figure 3 – A shows partial protection in relation to these parameters resulting from the administration of R. aculeata, possibly due to an inhibitor effect on the proteolytic enzymes which cause the hemotoxic effects on both of the snake venoms evaluated (17).

As for leukocytes (Table 2), in our model no significant changes were found in the experimental groups. On the other hand, only B. asper venom significantly diminished the number of platelets, a finding similar to what Mendes et al. (18) reported in mice and in other human case reports (19). The current contribution shows that Randia aculeata protects against this event, which is why we infer that one of the plant's effects could be avoiding hemorrhages otherwise caused by snake venom, as has been demonstrated by employing other vegetal species (20-23). It is also possible that this plant can partially neutralize myotoxic effects caused by some snake venoms, which are caused by phospholipase A₂, metalloproteases and crotoxins (18, 24). It has been proven that some plants can neutralize these toxins in vitro (23, 25).

Our results showed a partial protective effect on skeletal muscle and myocardium (Figures 5 and 6). When the venom was administered, both these muscle types showed severe necrosis, which was partially inhibited by the administration of R. aculeata. As an inflammatory infiltrate, the plant's administration could be used as a complement to therapies that currently do not neutralize the degradation of tissue caused by snakebites (26).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the results of the present study show that Randia aculeata causes a decrease in both the microhematocrit (Figure 4 – A) and total hemoglobin (Figure 4 – B), parameters which are often increased in conjunction with the loss of red blood cells that is a characteristic effect of C. simus and B. asper venoms. This effect could be due to an inhibitor effect on the proteolytic enzymes that cause the hemotoxic effects provoked by both of the snake venoms evaluated. In this study, Randia aculeata was also shown to protect against the lowering of platelet levels otherwise caused by B. asper venom, which could be related to an avoidance of hemorrhaging. Finally, our results show that Randia aculeata produces a partial inhibition of the necrosis found after the administration of snake venom, in skeletal and cardiac muscle (Figures 5 and 6). The popular use of Randia aculeata as an anti-inflammatory agent should be investigated in future studies, given the possibility that this mechanism may protect against tissue damage. This is the first study where the cytoprotective properties of this plant against snake venom have been confirmed in a murine model. Although this mechanism is unknown, the study and isolation of R. aculeata's components should be considered as a treatment against snakebites.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was partially supported by SIP-IPN 20110360, EDI, COFFA and CONACyT. Thanks to Abigail Aguilar-Contreras for identifying the plant and to geographer Carmen Alejandra Jimenez-Sanchez for making the location map. We also thank Carlos Castillo Henkel, PhD.

Received: March 15, 2012

Accepted: May 30, 2012

Abstract published online: June 4, 2012

Full paper published online: August 31, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE: EDI, COFFA and CONACyT provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL: The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Escuela Superior de Medicina-IPN. All experimental procedures described in the present study are in accordance with the guidelines established by the Secretary of Health in the Seventh Title of the Regulations of the General Law of Health Regarding Health Research and the Mexican Official Standard NOM-062-ZOO-1999, which stipulates technical specifications for production, care, and use of laboratory animals.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  13 Sept 2012
• Date of issue
  2012

History

• Received
  15 Mar 2012
• Accepted
  30 May 2012