Alexiteric activity of Costus pulverulentus C. Presl., Desmodium adscendens (SW.) DC., Begonia glabra aubl. and equisetum bogotense on the poison of Bothrops asper (equis) [version 1; peer review: 2 not approved]

Background: According to the Ecuadorian ancestral knowledge, antivenom treatment can be carried out using medicinal plants; there are in vitro studies in which alexiteric activity has been proven in many plant species through the assay of reduction of indirect hemolytic activity in blood agar plate-phosphatidylcholine. The cases of snake bites "equis" on the Ecuadorian coast represent the largest number of reported ophidian accidents, which usually occur in remote areas of health centers or hospitals, making patient care not timely. The species Costus pulverulentus C. Presl, Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC., Begonia glabra Aubl., and Equisetum bogotense are considered plants with antivenom potential (alexiteric) and have been used by various Ecuadorian ethnicities. Methods: In the present investigation, the indirect anti-hemolytic activity in vitro of dry extracts of these four-plant species was evaluated, as an indicator of alexiteric activity, on three "pools" of Bothrops asper (equis) snake venom provided by the Vivarium of Quito (Quito, Ecuador). Results: Alcoholic extracts of the four-species showed neutralizing activity of the venom, with some differences according to the treatment and origin (composition) of the venom. The aqueous extract of B. glabra presented antihemolytic activity, unlike the other species. Conclusions: We conclude that the alcoholic extracts of the four-species presented activity with some differences according to treatment and origin (composition) of the poison, and the aqueous extract of B. glabra presented anti-hemolytic activity unlike the other species whose activity was null.