Moringa, possible treatment for snake bites — Study
Snakes have been a major pest posing a potential threat to humans since time immemorial. Plant-based repellents, such as lemongrass, bitter kola seeds, tobacco leaf, scent leaf, and chilli pepper seeds, have been used for generations as protective measures against snakes in homesteads and other environments.
Despite these, ill health and deaths from snake infestation have continued to be a challenge, with heavy reliance on the use of synthetic anti-snake venom. This has proved to be costly and in short supply.
Some anti-venom medications also have adverse effects like shortness of breath, weak pulse, muscle tenderness, dizziness, fainting, and, in some cases, death due to bleeding.
On the other hand, traditional medicine in many countries uses extracts of certain plants to protect against snakebites. These extracts are cheap, easily available, and stable at room temperature, and they can neutralise a wide range of venom antigens without side effects.
For instance, Moringa oleifera, also known as the “tree of life,” “miracle tree,” or drumstick tree, has traditionally been used to treat snakebite and has been scientifically validated as a promising adjunct therapy for reducing the severity of snakebite symptoms.
Research also validated the efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf extract against various snake venoms, including those from Echis ocellatus (Scorpion-tail viper), Bitis arietans (Puff adder), and Naja haje (Cobra).
For more than 100 years, the mainstay of primary treatment for snakebite has been the administration of anti-venoms. Anti-venoms work by binding to the components of a venom and obstructing them, preventing them from reaching their target. Good-quality anti-venoms can make the difference between life and death.
In the Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, they confirmed the efficacy of the Moringa oleifera leaf extract against the venom of several species of cobra. Its chemical constituents were able to neutralize the toxic effects of cobra’s venom by inhibiting bleeding, anticoagulant, the breakdown of red blood cells by the venom.
In albino male Wistar rats, treatments with M. oleifera ethanol extract caused a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on anticoagulant, haemolytic, and heamorrhagic activities of cobra venom.
Several species of cobras are natives to Africa; among them is Naja haje, commonly called the Egyptian cobra. Naja haje is one of the poisonous cobras responsible for snakebite at fatalities in Nigeria.Nigerian food
Similarly, researchers proved that M. oleifera could serve as a potential source of effective compounds to treat a snake bite by Naja katiensis.
Naja katiensis, also known as the Malian cobra, is a species of venomous snake abundantly found in Mali and has been reported to cause several fatalities in Northern Nigeria.Nigerian food
This study proved that treatments with M. oleifera ethanol extract ameliorated tissue injuries in the brain, liver, and kidney tissues in rats caused by the venom of Naja katiensis in the laboratory. It was in the journal Phytomedicine Plus.
Echis ocellatus is one of the most venomous viper species, which constitutes a significant economic and health problem all over the world. Also, M. oleifera ethanolic leaf extract is a promising treatment for a viper’s snakebite.
The root paste of M. oleifera is usually applied by the locals in the Assam community of India to combat snakebite.
In the laboratory, researchers reported in the Scientific African that Moringa oleifera leaf can effectively stop bleeding from a bite from a viper.
According to them, the constituents of the M. oleifera leaf serve as inhibitors of neurotoxins by binding to the snake venom’s toxic protein, thereby terminating the poisonous effect of the venom.
While Moringa oleifera shows potential as an adjunct therapy for snakebite treatment, further research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
The integration of plant-based therapies with conventional anti-venoms could provide a more holistic approach to managing snakebite, especially in resource-limited areas. However, the variability in snake venom composition and the need for standardized dosing of plant extracts remain challenges that must be addressed in future studies.
Before now, experts had suggested Mucuna pruriens (commonly referred to as velvet bean, agbala, or agbaloko in Ibo and werepe in Yoruba) leaves are more effective than the standard drug, anti-venom, for curing snakebite.
For instance, eating a few Mucuna pruriens seeds is claimed to confer protection against snakebite in an individual for at least a year.
The study published in the International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review investigated the anti-venom activity of Mucuna pruriens leaf extract against cobra (Naja hannah) venom.
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Moreover, in another study, researchers reported the protective effect of M. pruriens seed extract against cobra (Javan spitting cobra) venom, which causes permanent damage to the heart.
In the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, they suggested that the extract renders the heart more resistant to the venom’s toxic effect and helps boost the body’s immunity against the deadly venom.
However, scientists have recently validated some local plants as herbal medicines for snakebite management. These include Ipomoea digitata, English wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and plantain (Musa paradiasica).
