ISOLATION, PURIFICATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF VIPER VENOM INHIBITING FACTOR FROM THE ROOT EXTRACT OF THE INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANT SARSAPARILLA (HEMIDESMUS-INDICUS RBR)

An organic acid, isolated and purified from the root extract of an Ind ian medicinal plant sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus R.Br, possessed vi per venom inhibitory activity. The compound (designated HI-RVIF) was i solated by solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatography and th in layer chromatography, and was homogeneous in nature. The white need le-shaped crystals were soluble in water, methanol and chloroform and had a melting point of 155-158 degrees C and lambda(max) 260 nm. Spect ral analysis confirmed the presence of a benzene ring, methoxy group, and hydroxyl group; the mol. wt of the compound was 168. HI-RVIF signi ficantly antagonized viper venom-induced lethal, haemorrhagic, coagula nt and anticoagulant activity in experimental rodents.