Anti-hemolytic and anti-cytotoxic effect of two artemisia species (A. campestris and A. herba-alba) essential oil against snake venom

Abstract

In this study, we verify the possible activity of Artemisia herba-alba and A. campestris (Asteraceae) essential oil against the snake venoms. The leaves of A. campestris has been used in the folk medicine against snake moisture. The aerial part extracts of both plants have been tested for their action against snake venom. Interaction of A. campestris (E1) and A. herba alba (E2) essential oils with proteins extracted from snake venom has been tested. Lethality in mice, inflammation and cytotoxicity induced by Cerastes cerastes venoms were significantly inhibited by the mixture of different amounts of E1 and E2 and the venom. However, both extracts showed neutralization of the venoms hemolytic activity which is more important with E2. Chemical characterization of E1 and E2 revealed there is an important amount of polyphenols and tannins which are known by their bio-active effect. The result could lead as to think that these components have an action by inhibiting the toxicity of snake venoms in vitro. We can conclude therefore that the use of the essential oil from the two Artemisia species have a curative effect on the snake venom. These results confirmed the traditional use of A. campestris and we discovered a similar effect of A. herba-alba. No data have been reported till now about the essential oil curative effect of both species.