ABSTRACT
Snake head fish Channa striatus (locally called 'shol') skin extract (SFSE) was examined for certain pharmacological and haematological effects on experimental animals. LD50 of SFSE was found to be 6 mg/20gm (iv) in male albino mice. SFSE potentiated pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in male albino mice and produced hypothermia. Low dose of SFSE decreased respiratory rate in rat and guineapig and high dose produced apnoea leading to death. On isolated toad and guineapig heart, SFSE significantly decreased rate and amplitude of contraction leading to temporary blockade, which returned after repeated wash. On isolated nerve muscle preparations, SFSE produced irreversible blockade of twitch response. SFSE induced quick contraction on isolated guineapig ileum, which was antagonised by atropine and cyproheptadine. SFSE did not possess haemolytic and haemorrhagic activity but produced anaemia in male albino mice. A neurotoxic compound (fluoroscent and ninhydrin positive) was isolated from SFSE by thin layer chromatography. This compound (CS-NT) was lethal in male albino mice, produced death by apnoea in rat and produced irreversible blockade of isolated nerve-muscle preparation. This study confirms that the skin of Channa striatus possesses toxic, and lethal components, which needs further detailed study.