Effects of Calliandra portoricensis extracts on transaminases and creatine kinase of wistar rats challenged with venom of Echis ocellatus

Abstract
Effects of selective solvent extracts of C. portoricensis on the aminotransferases and creatine kinase were studied to ascertain their potency in ameliorating the haemotoxicity of venom of carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) in wistar rats. A total of 30 wistar rats were used, divided into 6 rats per group of control, venom, venom/flavonoid-rich, venom/polyphenol-rich and venom/whole ethanolic extracts. The control group was given nothing while the other groups were given 200µg venom/rat and 0.5ml of 100mg/100g body weight (b.w) of rat as “antidote” concentration. This “antidote” was given 4-6 hours intramuscularly after the administration of the viperian venom. There was increase in the aminotransferases (P<0.05) in the treatment groups when compared to the control. When compared to the venom-treated and control groups, the C. portoricensis groups showed a marked decrease (P<0.05-p<0.01) of creatine kinase. The Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) – Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio showed a marked increase (P<0.01) in the venom group and a corresponding marked decrease (P<0.01) in the flavonoid-rich, polyphenol-rich and whole ethanolic extracts groups. These findings suggest that selective solvent extracts of C. portoricensis may be effective in attenuating these enzymes- linked lethality of carpet viper strike.
Keywords: Venom, Extract, Aminotranferases, Creatine kinase, Envenomation.