Ophidian envenomation is an important health problem in Brazil and other South American countries. In
folk medicine, especially in developing countries, several vegetal species are employed for the treatment of
snakebites in communities that lack prompt access to serum
therapy. However, the identification and characterization of the effects of several new plants or their isolated compounds, which are able to inhibit the activities of
snake venom, are extremely important and such studies are imperative.
Snake venom contains several organic and inorganic compounds;
phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are one of the principal toxic components of
venom. PLA2s display a wide variety of pharmacological activities, such as neurotoxicity,
myotoxicity,
cardiotoxicity,
anticoagulant, hemorrhagic, and
edema-inducing effects. PLA2 inhibition is of pharmacological and therapeutic interests as these
enzymes are involved in several inflammatory diseases. This review describes the results of several studies of
plant extracts and their isolated active principles, when used against crude
snake venoms or their toxic fractions. Isolated inhibitors, such as
steroids,
terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, are able to inhibit PLA2s from different
snake venoms. The design of specific inhibitors of PLA2s might help in the development of new pharmaceutical drugs, more specific
antivenom, or even as alternative approaches for treating
snakebites.