Antihemorrhagic Activity in an Animal Model of Annona senegalensis, a Plant in the Ivorian Pharmacopoeia Used against Bites of Bitis rhinoceros (Viperidae)

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation caused by Bitis rhinoceros can produce marked haemorrhagic effects, while access to specific antivenom may be limited in some settings. This study evaluated the in vivo antihaemorrhagic activity and preliminary acute safety of a hydroethanolic leaf extract of Annona senegalensis in Swiss mice. Acute oral toxicity was assessed at 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight. Venom toxicity was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration of graded doses to determine haemorrhagic activity and lethality. For neutralisation experiments, extract doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg were administered either 25 minutes before or 25 minutes after venom injection, representing preventive and curative treatment, respectively. No mortality was observed following oral administration of the extract at 2000 or 5000 mg/kg during the 14-day observation period. Bitis rhinoceros venom produced dose-dependent haemorrhagic and lethal effects, with a minimum haemorrhagic dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. At 1000 mg/kg, the extract was associated with absence of both internal and external haemorrhage under the tested conditions. Survival time at this dose reached 2888.67 ± 0.88 min during curative treatment and 5768.67 ± 0.88 min during preventive treatment, compared with 45.33 ± 1.20 min in the venom-only group. These findings indicate antihaemorrhagic activity of the extract in this animal model and support further investigation of its active constituents, mechanisms of action, and safety.