Snakebites are a serious public health problem due their high morbi-mortality. The main available specific treatment is the
antivenom serum
therapy, which has some disadvantages, such as poor neutralization of local effects, risk of immunological reactions, high cost and difficult access in some regions. In this context, the search for
alternative therapies is relevant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antiophidic properties of Jatropha gossypiifolia, a medicinal plant used in
folk medicine to treat
snakebites. The aqueous leaf extract of the plant was prepared by decoction and
phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of
sugars,
alkaloids,
flavonoids,
tannins,
terpenes and/or
steroids and
proteins. The extract was able to inhibit enzymatic and
biologic activities induced by Bothrops jararaca
snake venom in vitro and in vivo. The blood incoagulability was efficiently inhibited by the extract by oral route. The hemorrhagic and edematogenic local effects were also inhibited, the former by up to 56% and the latter by 100%, in animals treated with extract by oral and intraperitoneal routes, respectively. The inhibition of myotoxic action of B. jararaca reached almost 100%. According to enzymatic tests performed, it is possible to suggest that the antiophidic activity may be due an inhibitory action upon
snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and/or
serine proteinases (SVSPs), including fibrinogenolytic
enzymes,
clotting factors activators and
thrombin like
enzymes (SVTLEs), as well upon catalytically inactive
phospholipases A2 (Lys49 PLA2). Anti-inflammatory activity, at least partially, could also be related to the inhibition of local effects. Additionally,
protein precipitating and
antioxidant activities may also be important features contributing to the activity presented. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the potential antiophidic activity of J. gossypiifolia extract, including its significant action upon local effects, suggesting that it may be used as a new source of bioactive molecules against bothropic
venom.