Anti-Lethal Toxicity and Anti-Phospholipase A2 Enzyme Activity of Makahiya (Mimosa pudica) Root Extract against Philippine Cobra (Naja Philippinensis)

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the antivenom property
of makahiya ethanolic root extract using its different concentrations
against the median lethal dose of the Philippine cobra. The makahiya
roots were extracted with 80% ethanol using a soxhlet apparatus
and were concentrated until twenty milliliters were obtained with a
rotatory evaporator. In the biological assay for the anti-lethal toxicity,
a completely randomized design was used on twenty mice weighing
about 16-20 grams, assigned for control and the three concentrations
of makahiya ethanolic root extract with five (5) replications,
using the Intravenous-tail vein route. Spectrophotometry-Turbidity
method was used in the Anti-PLA2 enzyme activity assay. Egg yolk
suspension was prepared with a 0.9% NaCl as the buffer. The egg yolk
suspension was further diluted until the absorbance was 1.2. The different
concentrations of makahiya previously mixed with venom was incubated
with the egg yolk suspension. Absorbance and transmittance were
measured for the five replications in each group. Based on the statistical
analysis, there is no significant difference in the anti-lethal activity of the
different concentration of makahiya ethanolic root extracts and the anti-
PLA2 enzyme activity of Philippine cobra’s venom. The biological assay
results indicate that makahiya ethanolic root extract increases the survival
rate and protection fold against the Philippine cobra venom. Therefore,
the makahiya (Mimosa pudica) root extracts have a potential neutralizing
effect on the venom of the Philippine cobra.