Antiophidic activity of the secondary metabolite lupeol isolated from Zanthoxylum monogynum

The sustainable conversion of floral waste into natural snake repellent and docking studies for antiophidic activity

Snakes play an important role as predators, prey, ecosystem regulators and in advancing the human economy and pharmaceutical industries by producing venom-based medications such as anti-serums and anti-venoms. On the other hand, snakebites are responsible for over 120,000 annual fatalities; due to snakebites people lose their lives and suffer from diseases such as snake envenoming, epilepsy, and symptoms such as punctures, swelling, haemorrhage, bruising, blistering, and inflammation. Moreover, there are several challenges associated with different interventions for managing snakebites. Therefore, finding a natural way of repelling snakes without harming them will save lives and decrease the disease's symptoms. Usually, snakes are exacerbated by noxious odours and shrill sounds. There are various strategies to repel snakes, including chemical, natural, and electronic repellents being the most prevalent. Chemical snake repellents such as mothballs, sulphur powder, and cayenne pepper act as a barrier; natural snake repellents produce a pungent and foul smell, while electronic repellents generate high-frequency ultrasonic waves to repel snakes. On the other hand, anti-serums are available commercially to prevent the adverse effects of snakebite, which are species-specific, expensive, have inadequate pharmacology and impaired interaction with the immune system. Similarly, there are monovalent or polyvalent anti-serums used for the production of anti-venom depending on the snake species and the number of snakebites occurred in that area, e.g., Soro antibotropicocrotalico contains specific antibodies for Pit vipers and rattlesnakes, and Antielapidico targets coral snakes. The purpose of this review is to investigate natural, effective, and inexpensive snake-repellent from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) floral waste, which can be mixed with natural products such as vinegar, citronella, cinnamon, garlic, cedar, and clove and allowed for bacterial degradation which will lead to the release of several gases during floral waste degradation, including ammonia, sulphur, manganese, selenium, and gallic acid due to bacterial growth like Proteus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, etc. We assumed to convert these gases into liquid form using Linde's technique which may repel snakes. Further, molecular docking studies were performed on snake venom toxins (Phospholipase A2 (PDB-1MG6), Protein Cytotoxin II (PDB-1CB9), α-Dendrotoxins (PDB-1DTX), Neurotoxin from cobra venom (PDB-1CTX) and Cardiotoxin III (PDB-2CRS). Phytocompounds of Vellore degraded floral waste from GC-MS analysis (Tetracosane, 12, Oleanen-3-yl Acetate, (3-Alpha), Eicosane-7-Hexyl, Octadecane,3-Ethyl-5(2-Ethyl Butyl), Nonadecane,4-Methyl, Hexatriacontane and Nonacosane) were used as a ligand to determine their binding affinity with venom proteins and may be assumed to be used as an antidote for snakebite. Finally, we analysed that 12-oleanen-3yl acetate,3-α (CID-45044112) a triterpenoid showing a maximum binding affinity with all snake venom proteins (-13.8k/cal) with Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), Cardiotoxin-II (-8.2k/cal), Dendrotoxin (-12.1 k/cal), Cardiotoxin-III (-8.2 kcal/mol) and alpha-Neurotoxin (-11.0 kcal/mol), which may have potential to counteract the adverse effects caused by snakebites, however, in-vitro and in-vivo studies still challenging tasks for our further analysis. Overall, we propose an innovative method for the sustainable conversion of floral waste into snake repellent, as well as molecular docking studies were performed with phytocompounds and snake venom proteins for antiophidic activity, which can be experimentally investigated further to confirm its use as anti-venom for snakebites.

Musa spp. cultivars as a neutralising source against some toxic activities of Bothrops and Crotalus genus snake venoms

Accidents involving snakes from Bothrops spp. and Crotalus spp. constitute the most important cause of envenomation in Brazil and Argentina. Musa spp. (banana) have been reported to be used in popular medicine against snakebite by the members of the Canudos Settlement, located in Goiás. In this way, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antivenom effect of the Ouro (AA), Prata (AAB), Prata-anã (AAB) and Figo (ABB) cultivars against in vitro (phospholipase, coagulation and proteolytic) and in vivo (lethality and toxicity) activities caused by the venoms and toxicity (Artemia salina nauplii and Danio rerio embryos) of Musa spp. as well as the annotation of chemical compounds possibly related to these activities. From the in vitro antiophidic tests with the sap, we observed 100% inhibition of the phospholipase and coagulant activities with the cultivars Prata-anã and Figo against the venoms of B. alternatus and C. d. collineatus, B. diporus and B. pauloensis, respectively, and neutralisation of the lethality against the B. diporus venom. It was observed that the cultivars of Musa spp. did not show toxicity against Artemia salina nauplii and Danio rerio embryos. The sap analysis via HPLC-MS/MS allowed the annotation of the 13 compounds: abscisic acid, shikimic acid, citric acid, quinic acid, afzelechin, Glp-hexose, glucose, sucrose, isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside-6-raminoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside-3-raminoside, myricetin-3-O-rutinoside, procyanidin B1 and rutin. Therefore, it can be seen that Musa spp. is a potential therapeutic agent that can act to neutralise the effects caused by snakebites.

Fractionation and Characterization of Triterpenoids from Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. Cuticular Waxes and Their Potential as Anticancer Agents

Fruit and leaf cuticular waxes are valuable source materials for the isolation of triterpenoids that can be applied as natural antioxidants and anticancer agents. The present study aimed at the semi-preparative fractionation of triterpenoids from cuticular wax extracts of Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry) leaves and fruits and the evaluation of their cytotoxic potential. Qualitative and quantitative characterization of obtained extracts and triterpenoid fractions was performed using HPLC-PDA method, followed by complementary analysis by GC-MS. For each fraction, cytotoxic activities towards the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29), malignant melanoma cell line (IGR39), clear renal carcinoma cell line (CaKi-1), and normal endothelial cells (EC) were determined using MTT assay. Furthermore, the effect of the most promising samples on cancer spheroid growth and viability was examined. This study allowed us to confirm that particular triterpenoid mixtures from lingonberry waxes may possess stronger cytotoxic activities than crude unpurified extracts. Fractions containing triterpenoid acids plus fernenol, complexes of oleanolic:ursolic acids, and erythrodiol:uvaol were found to be the most potent therapeutic candidates in the management of cancer diseases. The specificity of cuticular wax extracts of lingonberry leaves and fruits, leading to different purity and anticancer potential of obtained counterpart fractions, was also enclosed. These findings contribute to the profitable utilization of lingonberry cuticular waxes and provide considerable insights into the anticancer effects of particular triterpenoids and pharmacological interactions.

The bioprospecting potential of Clusia fluminensis Planch. & Triana: a scoping review

Many biological activities are described for the Clusiaceae family. Clusia fluminensis, a species from Brazilian flora, is mainly employed for ornamental purposes. This review aimed to depict the current knowledge of C. fluminensis from a bioprospecting standpoint. "Clusia fluminensis" search term was applied in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Bireme databases according to PRISMA-ScR statement. Selected papers on Phytochemistry or Bioactivity followed hand searching procedures. Bioactivity preclinical studies considered in vitro or in vivo biological systems, treated with plant extracts or isolated compounds. The outcomes were compared with standard or no treatment control groups. Critical appraisal of individual trials considered completeness in the research fields. Our results showed that 81% of the selected papers presented high level of completeness, 69% revealed phytochemical parameters and 31% biological applications of plant extracts and isolated compounds. Polyisoprenylated benzophenones, terpenoids, sterols and phenolic compounds were identified. Antiviral, insecticidal and snake antivenom activities were reported. In conclusion, the phytochemical data reinforce the reported activities. Potential applications in personal care, nutritional supplementation and pharmaceutical, food, chemical or textile industries were also identified. Toxicological and phytochemical complementary studies may be required.

The potential of Brazilian native plant species used in the therapy for snakebites: A literature review

Snakebite envenoming is a potentially fatal disease categorized as a neglected public health issue for not receiving the appropriate attention from national and international health authorities. The most affected people by this problem usually live in poor rural communities, where medical resources are often sparse and, in some instances, there is even a scarcity of serum therapy. The administration of the appropriate antivenom is the only specific treatment available, however it has limited efficacy against venom-induced local effects. In this scenario, various plant species are used as local first aid for the treatment of snakebite accidents in Brazil, and some of them can effectively inhibit lethality, neurotoxicity, hemorrhage, and venom enzymes activities. This review compiles a list of plants used in the treatment of snakebites in Brazil, focusing on the native Brazilian species registered in the databases Pubmed, Scielo, Scopus and Google Scholar. All these searches were limited to peer-reviewed journals written in English, with the exception of a few articles written in Portuguese. The most cited native plant species were Casearia sylvestris Sw., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Mikania glomerata Spreng., Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F.Blake and Dipteryx alata Vogel, all used to decrease the severity of toxic signs, inhibit proteolytic and hemorrhagic activities, thus increasing survival time and neutralizing myotoxicity effects. Different active compounds showing important activity against the snake venoms and their toxins include flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Although some limitations to the experimental studies with medicinal plants were observed, including lack of comparison with control drugs and unknown active extracts compounds, species with anti-venom characteristics are effective and considered as candidates for the development of adjuvants in the treatment of snake envenomation. Further studies on the chemistry and pharmacology of traditionally used plant species will help to understand the role that snakebite herbal remedies may display in local medical health systems. It might also contribute to the development of alternative or complementary treatments to reduce the number of severe disabilities and deaths.

Isohemigossypolone: Antiophidic properties of a naphthoquinone isolated from Pachira aquatica Aubl

We investigated the antiophidic properties of isohemigossypolone (ISO), a naphthoquinone isolated from the outer bark of the Pachira aquatic Aubl. The inhibition of phospholipase A₂, coagulant, fibrinogenolytic, hemorrhagic and myotoxic activities induced by Bothrops pauloensis venom (Pb) was investigated. For this, we use samples resulting from the incubation of Pb with ISO in different concentrations (1:1, 1:5 and 1:10 w/w), we also evaluated the condition of treatment using ISO after 15 min of venom inoculation. The activities of phospholipase A₂, coagulant, fibrinogenolytic, hemorrhagic and myotoxic induced by the B. pauloensis venom were significantly inhibited when the ISO was pre-incubated with the crude venom. For in vivo neutralization tests, the results were observed even when the ISO was applied after 15 min of inoculation of the venom or metalloprotease (BthMP). Also, to identify the inhibition mechanism, we performed in silico assays, across simulations of molecular coupling and molecular dynamics, it was possible to identify the modes of interaction between ISO and bothropic toxins BmooMPα-I, Jararacussin-I and BNSP-7. The present study shows that naphthoquinone isohemigossypolone isolated from the P. aquatica plant inhibited part of the local and systemic damage caused by venom proteins, demonstrating the pharmacological potential of this compound in neutralizing the harmful effects caused by snakebites.