Neutralization of the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom by extracts of plants used by healers in Colombia

Braz J Med Biol Res, July 2004, Volume 37(7) 969-977

Neutralization of the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom by extracts of plants used by healers in Colombia

V. Núñez¹, R. Otero¹, J. Barona¹, M. Saldarriaga¹, R.G. Osorio¹, R. Fonnegra^1,2, S.L. Jiménez^1,3, A. Díaz¹ and J.C. Quintana¹

¹Grupo de Ofidismo y Escorpionismo, Facultad de Medicina, ²Herbario, and ³Facultad de Química Farmacéutica, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia

References

^{Correspondence and Footnotes}

Abstract

We determined the neutralizing activity of 12 ethanolic extracts of plants against the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom in Swiss Webster mice. The material used consisted of the leaves and branches of Bixa orellana (Bixaceae), Ficus nymphaeifolia (Moraceae), Struthanthus orbicularis (Loranthaceae) and Gonzalagunia panamensis (Rubiaceae); the stem barks of Brownea rosademonte (Caesalpiniaceae) and Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae); the whole plant of Pleopeltis percussa (Polypodiaceae) and Trichomanes elegans (Hymenophyllaceae); rhizomes of Renealmia alpinia (Zingiberaceae), Heliconia curtispatha (Heliconiaceae) and Dracontium croatii (Araceae), and the ripe fruit of Citrus limon (Rutaceae). After preincubation of varying amounts of each extract with either 1.0 µg venom for the edema-forming effect or 2.0 µg venom for the defibrinating effect, the mixture was injected subcutaneously (sc) into the right foot pad or intravenously into the tail, respectively, to groups of four mice (18-20 g). All extracts (6.2-200 µg/mouse) partially neutralized the edema-forming activity of venom in a dose-dependent manner (58-76% inhibition), with B. orellana, S. orbicularis, G. panamensis, B. rosademonte, and D. croatii showing the highest effect. Ten extracts (3.9-2000 µg/mouse) also showed 100% neutralizing ability against the defibrinating effect of venom, and nine prolonged the coagulation time induced by the venom. When the extracts were administered either before or after venom injection, the neutralization of the edema-forming effect was lower than 40% for all extracts, and none of them neutralized the defibrinating effect of venom. When they were administered in situ (sc at the same site 5 min after venom injection), the neutralization of edema increased for six extracts, reaching levels up to 64% for C. limon.

Key words: Neutralization, Edema, Defibrination, Coagulation, Bothrops asper venom, Plant extracts

Introduction

More than 90% of the snakebites reported every year in Latin America are inflicted by snakes of the genus Bothrops

(1,2). Two of the most relevant signs of bothropic envenomation are edema and defibrination, which may contribute to local ischemic damage, hypotension and hemorrhage (3-5).

The antivenoms commonly used for the serotherapy of snakebites show a very limited efficacy in the neutralization of edema, not only due to the variety of components inducing this alteration, but also due to its rapid onset (6-8). Defibrinating (in vivo) and coagulant (in vitro) effects are produced by thrombin-like toxins present in the venom which induce fibrinogen consumption and incoagulable blood that may favor systemic bleeding (9).

In northwestern Colombia, 60% of snakebite victims are initially treated by traditional healers who use medicinal plants in different forms according to the clinical condition of the patient (6,10,11). Thus, the experimental validation of such traditional knowledge is very important to elucidate the rational basis of its use. In the present study, we tested 12 ethanolic extracts of plants for their neutralizing ability against the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom. The extracts had previously demonstrated anti-lethal and/or anti-hemorrhagic capacity against B. atrox asper venom in mice (12,13).

Material and Methods

Mice, venom and extract preparation

Swiss Webster mice weighing 18-20 g were used to determine the edema-forming and defibrinating effects of venom. B. asper venom was obtained by milking more than 40 specimens captured in Antioquia and Chocó, Northwestern Colombia. Venom was centrifuged and the supernatant lyophilized and stored at -20ºC until use.

The plants were collected together with traditional healers in rural communities from the Atrato River Valley (Antioquia and Chocó) and on the Pacific coast (Chocó) (Table 1), identified and deposited in the Herbarium of the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín. After drying and crushing, individual samples of each part used were extracted with 96% ethanol at room temperature for 2 days. Extracts were concentrated to a semisolid paste using a BÜCHI - 124 rotavapor (Flawil, Switzerland), lyophilized for 4 days and stored at -20ºC until use (14).

Neutralization of the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom by extracts of plants used by healers in Colombia. V. Núñez, R. Otero, J. Barona, M. Saldarriaga, R.G. Osorio, R. Fonnegra, S.L. Jiménez, A. Díaz and J.C. Quintana. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 37 (7): 969, 2004.

Edema-forming effect of venom and extracts

Groups of four mice were injected subcutaneously (sc) into the right foot pad with several quantities of either venom (0.25-4.0 µg) or extract (3.12-400 µg) dissolved in 50 µl phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2. The left foot pad was similarly injected with 50 µl PBS alone (control) according to the method of Yamakawa et al. (15), modified by Gutiérrez et al. (16). Edema was calculated as percentage of increase in the weight of the right foot injected with venom or extract compared to the left foot (PBS alone = control). The minimum edema-forming dose was the venom dose that induced 30% edema within 6 h.

The minimum edema-forming dose of B. asper venom was 1.5 ± 0.3 µg/mouse, the dose that also induced intense hemorrhage. For this reason, a lower dose of venom (1.0 µg) was chosen for the experiments of edema neutralization.

Except for Citrus limon, Tabebuia rosea, Ficus nymphaeifolia, Gonzalagunia panamensis and Dracontium croatii, all of the extracts dissolved in PBS, pH 7.2, and injected sc into the foot pad induced edema at doses of 200 to 400 µg/mouse, but none did so at lower doses.

Defibrinating effect of venom and extracts

Groups of 4 mice were injected intravenously (iv) into the tail or intramuscularly (im) into the gastrocnemius muscle with several doses of either venom or extract dissolved in 0.2 or 0.1 ml PBS, pH 7.2, respectively. A control group of 4 mice received PBS alone under identical conditions. One or 2 h later, mice were anesthetized with halothane and bled to test coagulation status by the method of Theakston and Reid (17), modified by Gutiérrez et al. (18). The minimum defibrinating dose was the venom dose that produced 100% incoagulability in all mice either 1 or 3 h after iv or im venom injection, respectively. The minimum defibrinating dose of B. asper venom was 1.1 ± 0.3 µg/mouse by the iv route and 40 µg/mouse by the im route. None of the extracts had defibrinating activity.

Coagulant effect of venom

The method described by Theakston and Reid (17) was followed, with small modifications. Briefly, 1.0 µg B. asper venom dissolved in 50 µl PBS, pH 7.2, was added to human plasma (0.3 ml) from healthy donors, preincubated at 37ºC and the time required for plasma coagulation was determined.

Neutralization of Bothrops asper venom effects

In vitro experiments. Variable doses of each lyophilized extract (3.1-400 µg/mouse for edema, and 1.9-2000 µg for defibrination), were preincubated at 37ºC for 30 min with fixed doses of venom (1.0 µg dissolved in 50 µl PBS for edema, and 2.0 µg dissolved in 200 µl PBS for defibrination). Groups of 4 mice were then injected sc or iv with the mixture as described above. The control group received venom alone under identical conditions. The results are reported as percentage of edema neutralization within 6 h, with the edema of the control group being considered 100%. Neutralization of the defibrinating effect is reported as effective dose 100% (ED₁₀₀), i.e., the extract dose that neutralized 100% of the defibrinating effect of venom in all mice within 1 h.

For the neutralization of the coagulant activity of venom, a constant amount (20 µg) of each lyophilized extract mixed with 1.0 µg venom dissolved in 50 µl PBS, pH 7.2, was incubated at 37ºC for 30 min. The mixture was then added to plasma (300 µl) and the clotting time was recorded.

In vivo experiments

Edema neutralization. The extracts that demonstrated in vitro neutralizing ability were then independently administered to groups of 4 mice at different times, doses and routes as follows: 1) 0.5 mg of each extract dissolved in PBS was administered orally (in 50 µl) or intraperitoneally (ip) (in 0.5 ml) either 60 min before or 5 min after venom injection (1.0 µg sc in the right foot pad); 2) 0.5 mg of each extract dissolved in 0.2 ml PBS, pH 7.2, was injected iv either 15 min before or 5 min after venom injection; 3) the extract dose that induced the best in vitro neutralization of the edema-forming effect was dissolved in 50 µl PBS and injected sc (in situ) 5 min after venom injection (1.0 µg sc into the right foot pad). Six hours later, mice were sacrificed by halothane inhalation and the percentage of edema neutralization was determined taking as 100% the edema of the control group (venom alone).

Neutralization of the defibrinating effect

A 2.0-mg aliquot of each extract dissolved in PBS was administered orally (in 50 µl) or ip (in 0.5 ml) either 60 min before or 5 min after iv injection of 2.0 µg venom. In a second group of experiments, 1.0 mg of each extract dissolved in 0.2 ml PBS was administered iv either 15 min before or 5 min after the 2.0-µg iv venom injection. In a third group of experiments, variable doses (0.5-2.0 mg) of either extract were injected im (in situ) after the venom injection (40 µg im).

A control group of 4 mice received venom alone under identical conditions. One hour or 3 h after iv or im venom injection, respectively, neutralization of the defibrinating effect of venom was tested as described above.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

SDS-PAGE was performed on 15% polyacrylamide gels (19). The mixture of B. asper venom and each extract (1:10 w/w) was preincubated at 37ºC for 30 min. Then, 20 µl of each mixture was run at 150 V for 1 h. The proteins were stained with Coomassie blue.

Statistical analysis

Results are reported as means ± SD. Mean values of venom neutralization by the extracts were compared by analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) using the STATISTICA 98 software (StatSoft, Tulsa, OK, USA). Differences were analyzed by the Newman-Keuls test. The Dunnett test was used to compare the mean values obtained for the neutralization of the coagulant effect to a control. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05.

Results

In vitro neutralization

All extracts were partially effective in a dose-dependent manner in neutralizing the edema-forming effect of B. asper venom at doses £200 µg/mouse (Figure 1 and Table 1). The extracts with higher neutralizing potency at low doses (6.2-25 µg/mouse) were those of Trichomanes elegans (58 ± 2%), D. croatii (62 ± 10%), Bixa orellana (72 ± 5%), Brownea rosademonte (64 ± 6%), Struthanthus orbicularis (65 ± 2%), and G. panamensis (63 ± 8%). The extracts of C. limon, Renealmia alpinia, T. rosea, and F. nymphaeifolia needed higher doses to produce a similar neutralizing effect (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the two-phase response observed in the neutralization curve indicated that the preincubated mixture of venom plus extract also induced edema in mice at variable doses according to the extract (>12.5 µg/mouse; Figure 1).

Additionally, 10 of the 12 extracts had 100% neutralizing ability against the defibrinating effect of venom. The C. limon extract was devoid of neutralizing capacity against this effect, and S. orbicularis extract was only partially effective (25%) at doses up to 2000 µg/mouse (Table 1). The extract with highest neutralizing potency was that of B. orellana.

One microgram of venom induced coagulation of human plasma in 17 ± 3 s. Nine extracts significantly prolonged the coagulation time when preincubated with the venom (P < 0.001). Six of them (B. rosademonte, Pleopeltis percussa, T. elegans, S. orbicularis, B. orellana and Heliconia curtispatha) prolonged the coagulation time beyond 60 s (Figure 2).

Figure 1.
Dose/response curve of edema neutralization. Experiments were performed by preincubating 3.1-400 µg of extract and fixed doses (1.0 µg) of venom for 30 min at 37ºC (see Material and Methods). A, Brownea rosademonte extract; B, Bixa orellana extract; C, Trichomanes elegans extract; D, Citrus limon extract. Data are reported as the mean ± SD for each experiment.

Figure 2.
Coagulation time. Fixed doses of each extract (20 µg) and Bothrops asper venom (1.0 µg) were preincubated at 37ºC for 30 min. Then, 50 µl of the mixture was added to 300 µl of citrated human plasma and the coagulation time was determined. A, Heliconia curtispatha; B, Pleopeltis percussa; C, Brownea rosademonte; D, Bixa orellana; E, Trichomanes elegans; F, Struthanthus orbicularis; G, Gonzalagunia panamensis; H, Ficus nymphaeifolia; I, Tabebuia rosea; J, Renealmia alpinia; K, Dracontium croatii; L, Citrus limon; V = venom alone. Data are reported as the mean ± SD of three determinations.

In vivo neutralization

When the extracts were independently administered by the oral, ip or iv route, either 15 or 60 min before venom injection, the neutralization of the edema-forming effect of venom varied according to the extract, dose and route of administration (data not shown). Similarly, when the extracts were administered by these routes 5 min after venom injection, they also showed variable neutralizing ability. Overall, neutralization was lower than 40% for all extracts (Table 2). Nevertheless, when the extracts were administered in situ immediately after venom injection, all of them showed increased edema neutralization (Table 2). The C. limon extract showed the highest neutralization (64%) by this route (P < 0.001). None of the extracts neutralized the defibrinating effect of B. asper venom when they were individually administered by the oral, ip, iv or in situ route, either before or after venom injection (data not shown).

Neutralization of the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom by extracts of plants used by healers in Colombia. V. Núñez, R. Otero, J. Barona, M. Saldarriaga, R.G. Osorio, R. Fonnegra, S.L. Jiménez, A. Díaz and J.C. Quintana. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 37 (7): 969, 2004.

Electrophoretic analysis

After preincubation of extract and venom, only one of the 12 extracts (H. curtispatha) induced conspicuous changes in the electrophoretic pattern of venom (Figure 3). All experiments were repeated five times.

Figure 3.
SDS-PAGE of Bothrops asper venom after incubation with plant extracts (1:10, w/w, 30 min, 37ºC). A, Gonzalagunia panamensis; B, Pleopeltis percussa; C, Struthanthus orbicularis; D, Dracontium croatii; E, Brownea rosademonte; F, Tabebuia rosea; G, Citrus limon; H, Trichomanes elegans; I, Ficus nymphaeifolia; J, Heliconia curtispatha; K, Bixa orellana; L, Renealmia alpinia; V = venom alone; MW = molecular weight markers (97.4, 66, 45, 31, 21, 14.4 kDa).

Discussion

Some of the factors associated with traditional medicine practices for snakebites in Colombia are social problems, geographical difficulties, and the insufficient production, supply or distribution of antivenoms. Thus, 60% of snakebite victims are initially treated by healers who use medicinal plants administered either by the oral route or by external baths, vapor and poultices applied to the affected extremity (11). Plants constitute rich sources of novel compounds with a variety of pharmacological activities. Therefore, experimental validation of the traditional use of plants is important and can facilitate the development of low-cost phytotherapeutic agents (20).

In viper bites, edema is the result of the synthesis of potent autocoids or eicosanoids triggered by enzymatic components of the venom, as well as by the damage in the microvasculature with plasma extravasation and the release of cytokines. Chaves et al. (21) demonstrated that pretreatment with indomethacin (an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway), dexamethasone and mepacrine (two drugs that inhibit phospholipase A₂ activity by different mechanisms), reduced the edema induced by B. asper venom. Thus, the edema induced by B. asper venom in the mouse foot pad model is mediated, at least in part, by phospholipase A₂ activity and by eicosanoid products.

The rapid neutralization of venom in the bloodstream does not guarantee the halting of edema progression within a short time. In several experimental and clinical trials it has been demonstrated that antivenoms are of limited value to stop edema progression within the first 12-24 h of treatment, while they are highly efficient in restoring blood coagulation status within the same time interval (7,22,23).

Several reports have shown that plant-derived compounds with activity on arachidonic acid metabolism, lead to a marked inhibition of edema. Some of them have been characterized as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities (24). Additionally, some plants active against the lethal effect of snake venoms (25,26, present study) are also active against the edema induced by venoms. The herbal compound (2-OH-4-methoxy benzoic acid) isolated from the root extract of Hemidesmus indicus R. BR effectively neutralized the inflammation induced by Vipera russelli venom in male albino mice and reduced the cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats (27). The Casearia sylvestris (Flacourtiaceae) extract inhibited by 50% the edema-inducing activity of both whole venom and myotoxin II of B. moojeni when assayed in the mouse foot pad model in preincubation experiments (28).

In the present study, 12 extracts which had previously demonstrated in vitro an antilethal and/or antihemorrhagic effect against B. asper venom (12,13) also showed in vitro neutralizing ability against the edema-forming effect. When the extracts were administered individually (in vivo experiments) by the oral, ip or iv route they showed a low, but significant neutralizing ability against edema. This capacity was increased for six extracts when they were injected in situ. This may indicate that close contact between the extract and venom is essential for a maximal neutralizing effect.

Venoms of vipers such as B. asper have in vitro coagulant effect and in vivo defibrinating effect on human plasma (3,9,17). Accordingly, ten of the extracts studied here completely neutralized the defibrinating effect of venom and nine neutralized the coagulant effect in experiments with preincubation of venom and extract. Five of them, with the highest neutralizing capacity against the defibrinating effect of venom (B. orellana, B. rosademonte, P. percussa, T. elegans, H. curtispatha) also showed high neutralizing potency against the coagulant effect (Table 1, Figure 2).

Nevertheless, the extracts were unable to neutralize the defibrinating effect of venom when they were administered before or after venom injection, even when they were administered almost simultaneously at the same site of venom injection. The lack of this neutralizing ability may be related to the fact that low concentrations of venom are sufficient to induce defibrination, as well as to the rapid action of thrombin-like components (29).

Although the mechanism of action of these extracts is unknown, a change in the electrophoretic pattern of B. asper venom induced by the H. curtispatha extract indicates that protein hydrolysis is a potential mechanism. When varying the incubation time of venom and extract (5, 15, 30 and 60 min; results not shown) a similar electrophoretic pattern was obtained. Other mechanisms of action (inhibition of the catalytic activity of snake venoms and their enzymes, i.e., phospholipase A₂, metalloproteinase inhibition by the presence of metal-chelator substances in the extracts) have been proposed for plant extracts in venom neutralization (12,13,30-32). With the exception of C. limon, D. croatii and F. nymphaeifolia, all the extracts studied here showed neutralizing ability against phospholipase A₂ activity (indirect hemolysis) of B. asper venom as well as partial neutralization of myonecrosis induced by this venom (12, and Otero R, Núñez V, Barona J, Jiménez S, Fonnegra R and Osorio RG, unpublished observations).

Despite the reduction of the neutralizing capacity of the extracts against the toxic activities of B. asper venom when they were administered individually, the extracts could be used in combination with serotherapy in the treatment of viper bites, mainly as palliative treatment of some local signs of envenomation such as edema, hemorrhage and myonecrosis (13, and Otero R, Núñez V, Barona J, Jiménez S, Fonnegra R and Osorio RG, unpublished observations, present study). This might be particularly true if the extract is administered very soon at the same site of venom injection.

Address for correspondence: R. Otero, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellín, Colombia. Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

Research supported by the Instituto Colombiano para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y la Tecnología Francisco José de Caldas (Colciencias) and by Universidad de Antioquia. Received June 2, 2003. Accepted February 26, 2004.

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Correspondence and Footnotes

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  22 June 2004
• Date of issue
  July 2004

History

• Received
  02 June 2003
• Accepted
  26 Feb 2004