Pharmacological activity of Costus spicatus in experimental Bothrops atrox envenomation.

CONTEXT: Medicinal plants encompass a rich source of active compounds that can neutralize snake venoms or toxins. Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. (Costaceae) is used by the Amazonian population to treat inflammation, pain and other pathological manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of C. spicatus aqueous extract on edema, peritonitis, nociception, coagulation, haemorrhage and indirect haemolytic activity induced by Bothrops atrox venom (BAV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried and pulverized leaves were extracted with distilled water. Envenoming was induced by administration of B. atrox snake venom in Swiss Webster mice. The experimental groups consisted of BAV (at the minimum dose to induce measurable biological responses) and C. spicatus extract (CSE, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 µl phosphate-buffered saline) administered individually and in combination (BAVCSE). PBS was used as a control. In vitro assays were also conducted in order to evaluate phospholipase A2 coagulant activities (indirect haemolytic method). RESULTS: CSE significantly reduced the venom-induced edema and nociception at all concentrations tested and inhibited migration of inflammatory cells at the three least concentrations (5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 µl PBS). CSE was not effective in inhibiting coagulant, haemorrhagic and indirect haemolytic activities of the venom. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The data suggest that CSE could exhibit a central mechanism for pain inhibition, and may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. These findings corroborate the traditional administration of C. spicatus decoction to treat inflammatory disorders, including those caused by B. atrox envenomation.

Effects of a low-level semiconductor gallium arsenide laser on local pathological alterations induced by Bothrops moojeni snake venom.

Antivenom therapy has been ineffective in neutralizing the tissue damage caused by snakebites. Among therapeutic strategies to minimize effects after envenoming, it was hypothesized that a low level laser would reduce complications and reduce the severity of local snake venom effects. In the current study, the effect of a low-level semiconductor gallium arsenide (GaAs) laser on the local pathological alterations induced by B. moojeni snake venom was investigated. The experimental groups consisted of five male mice, each administered either B. moojeni venom (VB), B. moojeni venom + antivenom (VAV), B. moojeni venom + laser (VL), B. moojeni venom + antivenom + laser (VAVL), or sterile saline solution (SSS) alone. Paw oedema was induced by intradermal administration of 0.05 mg kg(-1) of B. moojeni venom and was expressed in mm of directly induced oedema. Mice received by subcutaneous route 0.20 mg kg(-1) of venom for evaluating nociceptive activity and the time (in seconds) spent in licking and biting the injected paw was taken as an indicator of pain response. Inflammatory infiltration was determined by counting the number of leukocytes present in the gastrocnemius muscle after venom injection (0.10 mg kg(-1)). For histological examination of myonecrosis, venom (0.10 mg kg(-1)) was administered intramuscularly. The site of venom injection was irradiated by the GaAs laser and some animals received antivenom intraperitoneally. The results indicated that GaAs laser irradiation can help in reducing some local effects produced by the B. moojeni venom in mice, stimulating phagocytosis, proliferation of myoblasts and the regeneration of muscle fibers.

[Epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents in the State of Amapá]. / Perfil epidemiológico de acidentes ofídicos do Estado do Amapá

This study presents the epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents notified to the Health Department of the State of Amapá. For this, 909 records over the period from 2003 to 2006 were analyzed. The greatest frequency of bites was in the year 2004, with 255 cases recorded, followed by the year 2006 with 246 cases. The largest numbers of patients were in the age range between 20 and 34 years (30%). The genera Bothrops and Crotalus accounted for 67.5% and 0.7% of the accidents, respectively. Snakes that are considered non-venomous caused 0.2% of the accidents, and it was not possible to identify the species in 31.2% of the cases. Male individuals were more affected (80.6%). The highest incidence of bites was on the lower limbs (68%). The accidents mostly occurred in rural areas (62.7%), during balanced work circumstances (60%) or leisure activities (15.6%). The time elapsed from the bite to attending the patient was 12 hours (29%). Among the snake poisoning accidents, 263 were classified as mild, 187 as moderate and 193 as serious.

Perfil epidemiológico de acidentes ofídicos do Estado do Amapá / Epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents in the State of Amapá

O presente trabalho apresenta o perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ofídicos notificados junto à Secretaria do Estado de Saúde do Estado do Amapá. Para isso, foram analisadas 909 fichas durante o período de 2003 a 2006. A maior freqüência de picadas foi no ano de 2004 com registro de 255 casos, seguido pelo ano de 2006 com 246 casos. Os números mais expressivos de pacientes encontram-se nas faixas etárias compreendidas entre 20 e 34 anos (30 por cento). Os gêneros Bothrops e Crotalus foram responsáveis por 67,5 por cento e 0,7 por cento dos acidentes, respectivamente. Serpentes consideradas não peçonhentas causaram 0,2 por cento dos acidentes e em 31,2 por cento dos casos não foi possível a identificação da espécie. Indivíduos do sexo masculino (80,6 por cento) foram os mais atingidos. A maior incidência de picadas foi nos membros inferiores (68 por cento). Os acidentes ocorreram, em sua maioria, na área rural (62,7 por cento), em circunstâncias equilibradas de trabalho (60 por cento) e lazer (15,6 por cento). O tempo decorrido entre a picada e o atendimento ao paciente foi de 12 horas (29 por cento). Dos acidentes ofídicos, 263 foram classificados como leves, 193 graves e 187 moderados.

This study presents the epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents notified to the Health Department of the State of Amapá. For this, 909 records over the period from 2003 to 2006 were analyzed. The greatest frequency of bites was in the year 2004, with 255 cases recorded, followed by the year 2006 with 246 cases. The largest numbers of patients were in the age range between 20 and 34 years (30 percent). The genera Bothrops and Crotalus accounted for 67.5 percent and 0.7 percent of the accidents, respectively. Snakes that are considered non-venomous caused 0.2 percent of the accidents, and it was not possible to identify the species in 31.2 percent of the cases. Male individuals were more affected (80.6 percent). The highest incidence of bites was on the lower limbs (68 percent). The accidents mostly occurred in rural areas (62.7 percent), during balanced work circumstances (60 percent) or leisure activities (15.6 percent). The time elapsed from the bite to attending the patient was 12 hours (29 percent). Among the snake poisoning accidents, 263 were classified as mild, 187 as moderate and 193 as serious.