Viper venom-induced inflammation and inhibition of free radical formation by pure compound (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid) isolated and purified from anantamul (Hemidesmus indicus R.Br) root extract

Abstract

The present investigation explored the possible venom neutralizing effect of a pure compound (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid) isolated and purified from the methanolic root extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Rr. 2-OH-4-MeO benzoic acid possessed potent anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antioxidant properties. The compound effectively neutralized inflammation induced by Vipera russelli venom in male albino mice and reduced cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. The compound produced a significant fall in body temperature in yeast-induced pyrexia in rats but did not change the normothermic body temperature. The compound effectively neutralized viper venom-induced changes in serum phosphatase and transaminase activity in male albino rats. It also neutralized free radical formation as estimated by TBAPS and superoxide dismutase activities. The antisnake venom activity of the pure compound is partly mediated through the above physiological process.

Introduction

In India, many plants are reported to be used as a remedy for a number of diseases. The root of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br, locally called anantamul, is found throughout India. It is used for the treatment of many diseases as a blood purifier, diuretic, antirheumatic and antidote in snakebite (Chopra et al., 1956; Alam et al., 1996). Despite the traditional use of the plant in folk medicine, only a few articles have reported the chemical constituents of the H. indicus species, including coumarino-lignoids, flavonoids and triterpenoids (Mandal et al., 1991), and knowledge of the pharmacological action of its extracts and constituents remains poor. Studies from this laboratory have recently demonstrated an active antisnake venom compound isolated, purified and characterized from the methanolic root extract of H. indicus (Alam et al., 1994). The present investigation explored the snake (Russell's viper) venom neutralizing activity of the pure compound (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid) on experimental rodents.