VIPER VENOM-INDUCED INFLAMMATION AND INHIBITION OF FREE-RADICAL FORMATION BY PURE COMPOUND (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXY BENZOIC-ACID) ISOLATED AND PURIFIED FROM ANANTAMUL (HEMIDESMUS-INDICUS R.BR) ROOT EXTRACT

The present investigation explored the possible venom neutralizing eff ect of a pure compound (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid) isolated and purified from the methanolic root extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Rr. 2-OH-4-MeO benzoic acid possessed potent anti-inflammatory, antipyret ic and antioxidant properties. The compound effectively neutralized in flammation induced by Vipera russelli venom in male albino mice and re duced cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. The compound produced a significant fall in body temperature in yeast-induced pyrexia in rats but did not change the normothermic body temperature. The compound ef fectively neutralized Viper venom-induced changes in serum phosphatase and transaminase activity in male albino rats. It also neutralized fr ee radical formation as estimated by TBAPS and superoxide dismutase ac tivities. The antisnake venom activity of the pure compound is partly mediated through the above physiological process. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.