In-vitro Antivenom Potential of Solanum dasyphyllum Methanolic Leaf and Fruit Extracts against Naja nigricollis Venom

Abstract

Solanum dasyphyllum belongs to the family of plants called Solanaceae, it is commonly called "Africa eggplant" and one of the medicinal plants used in the treatment of snake envenomation in the southwestern part of Nigeria, but investigation concerning its anti-venom activity has not been established. The present study evaluates the in-vitroenzyme inhibition potential of S.dasyphyllum leaf and fruit extracts against Naja nigricollis (Black-necked spitting cobra) venom. The inhibitory potential of S. dasyphyllum leaf and fruit on proteases, acetylcholinesterase, phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase enzymes present in the snake venom was evaluated. The methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of S. dasyphyllum inhibited the activity of all enzymes evaluated, however, the leaf extract exhibited better enzyme inhibitory effect on N. nigricollis venom when compared with the fruit. This could be due to the presence of various phytochemicals in leaf and fruit extract.  This result substantiates the ethnomedicinal usage of S. dasyphyllum and would help to develop potent antidote therapy against N. nigricollis envenomation.