Peganum harmala extract delayed the lethal effect of viper snake Echis carinatus venom in mice

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Soheila Shirkhani
• Behrooz Fathi

Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22067/ijvst.2025.91424.1454

Abstract

This study evaluated possible antagonistic effects of Peganum harmala against the lethal effect of E. carinatus venom. Seventy-two albino mice were divided into 12 equal groups in 6 experimental protocols. In protocol I, Group A (control) treated with venom. They died after 80 min averagely. In protocol II, Groups B1 and B2 were treated with 15 and 30 mg/kg of P. harmala, respectively and 10 mg/kg venom simultaneously. Their survival time increased to 232 and 210 min respectively. In protocol III, groups C1 and C2 were treated with 10 mg/kg venom and after 15 min received P. harmala at 15 and 30 mg/kg respectively. Their time to death was increased to 246 and 220 min respectively.
In protocol IV, groups D1 and D2, treated with pre-incubated of venom with P. harmala (30 min) at the previous doses. Their survival time increased to 211 and 195 min respectively. In protocol V groups E1 and E2 received only P. harmala extract (IP) at 15 and 30 mg/kg respectively. In protocol VI, groups F1, F2, and F3 received only P. harmala extract (orally) at doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg respectively, they remained alive. Peganum harmala significantly (p < 0.05) increased animal survival time thus, has an antagonistic effect against lethality effect of Echis carinatus venom, make it a possible antivenom candidate for further investigation.

Keywords

• Snakebite
• Echis carinatus
• Venom
• Peganum harmala
• Antagonist
• Mice

Main Subjects

• Pharmacology

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