Researchers at the Centre for Venom Informatics under the University of Kerala are investigating four plant species endemic to the southern region of the Western Ghats for their potential to yield novel drug molecules for the treatment of snakebite.
The scientists are analysing the root extracts of Ophiorrhiza mungos (commonly known as Keeri Pacha or Keeri Purandan in Malayalam), the bark of Pittosporum neelgherrense ( Analivenga ), the leaf and root extracts of Aristolochia indica ( Garudakodi ) and the leaf extracts of Glycosmis pentaphylla ( Panal ) for snake antidote activity.
The property of O.mungos to neutralise the venom of the Russell’s viper has already been validated and further studies are on to isolate the active principles and mechanism of action.
The four plants are the most promising among the 24 species with potential antivenom properties listed in a survey conducted by four researchers from the University of Kerala and the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. The study covered the medicinal plants found in the Kallar region of the Western Ghats that were used by tribal healers as first aid or antidote for snake venom.
The team comprising Anaswara Krishnan S. of the Department of Zoology; R. Dileepkumar of the Centre for Venom Informatics; and Anoop P.K of the Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics under the university; and Oommen V. Oommen, chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board; has published their findings in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology .
As many as 2,00,000 snakebites are reported in India every year, of which 35,000 to 50,000 prove fatal. The Russell’s viper is the most common cause of fatal snakebite in southern India.
