Abstract

STUDY OF ANTI-SNAKE VENOM ACTIVITY OF CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM. LINN. - AN IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO STUDY

Kavitha K. N.*, Ruckmani A. and Vinayak Meti

Abstract

Aim: The in vitro and in vivo anti-snake venom activities of ethanolic extract of the Cardispermum Halicacabum.(Linn.) was studied against Russell‟s viper venom. Methodology: The in vitro study was carried out by the inhibition of the haemolytic and hyalarunidase activity and the in vivo study was carried out by using Swiss albino mice in modifying the lethal effect of the test dose of the Russell‟s viper venom and in the blood coagulation system in the albino rats. In invivo model the effectiveness of the extract was evaluated by oral administration of three different doses (200,400 and 800mg/kg) of the ethanolic extract of the Cardiospermum halicacabum. Linn. 60 minutes prior to the injection of the venom. Results: The extract markedly prolonged the survival time in mice at the dose of 800mg/kg b.w and the extracts significantly decreased the bleeding time in albino rats at the doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg b.w. In vitro HRBC membrane stabilization and hyalorunidase inhibition properties of this extract revealed inhibition of haemolysis induced by Russell‟s viper venom, in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion: The significant anti-snake venom activity of the Cardiospermum Halicacabum there by justifying its use in the indigenous system of medicine.

Keywords: In vitro and in vivo anti-snake venom activity, Cardiospermum Halicacabum. Linn. ethanolic extract, Russell?s viper venom.