Effect of aqueous root extract of Cynodon dactylon on the hemolytic activity of cardiotoxins from Indian cobra (Naja naja)

ABSTRACT

Snake venoms are a complex blend of enzymes and proteins/peptides depicting diverse pharmacological properties.Snakebite envenomation causes considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in rural regions. Atpresent, the only available remedy for snakebite is polyvalent antivenoms and the antivenoms are shown to developadverse effects such as anaphylaxis and pyrogen reactions. In the present study, we have examined antihemolyticactivity of aqueous root extract of Cynodon dactylon against cardiotoxins belonging to three-finger toxin family ofthe Indian cobra crude venom. The aqueous root extract of the Cynodon dactylon was found to have remarkableantihemolytic potential against the crude venom as probed by in vitro assay. In this background, the phytochemicalspresent in the Cynodon dactylon extract were delineated using mass spectrometry data obtained for the extract andthe compounds were then subjected to high-throughput virtual screening. A comprehensive analysis of the moleculardocking data paved a way to identify a few lead antihemolytic chemical compounds from the plant extract. Scopes toexplore structural determinants for the interaction between the chemical molecules and target protein toxins at highresolutions have also been discussed.