IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO NEUTRALIZING POTENTIAL OF RAUVOLFIA SERPENTINA ROOT EXTRACT AGAINST BUNGARUS CAERULEUS VENOM

Snakebite is an international health hazard that needs attention in terms of effective management and better treatment to recover the health of the affected individuals and society. Tribal populations and folk therapists across the world have been using innumerable plants to treat snakebite difficulties. In the present study, the efficacy of aqueous extracts of Rauvolfia serpentina root for neutralizing Bungarus caeruleus venom by in-vitro and in-vivo methods was carried out. Various in-vitro neutralization tests like Direct and Indirect haemolytic activities, Acetylcholinesterase activity, Proteolytic activity, ATPase activity, and in-vivo assessment LD₅₀ were carried out. Rauvolfia serpentina root extract effectively neutralizes all the venom’s toxic effects. The in-vivo assessment of venom lethality (LD₅₀) of Bungarus caeruleus venom was 0.537 µg/g. Rauvolfia serpentina root extract effectively neutralized the venom lethality, and the effective dose (ED₅₀) was found to be10.96 mg/3LD₅₀ of Bungarus caeruleus. All animals survived and appeared active and healthy throughout the study. The LD₅₀ of Rauvolfia serpentina root extract was >2000mg/kg. These findings confirmed that Rauvolfia serpentina root extract possesses some compounds which inhibit the toxins present in Bungarus caeruleus venom.