WITHDRAWN: In vitro anti-haemolytic and in vivo anti-haemorrhagic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens against Bitis arietans venom

Snake envenomation is of public health significance due to its hazardous effects on humans and animals. Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is an established herbal drug and widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The seeds, bark and roots of medicinal plants like M. pruriens have been reported to antagonize the activity of some venoms and toxins. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-haemolytic and in vivo anti-haemorrhagic effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens against the Bitis arietans venom . Leaves of Mucuna pruriens were air-dried, then methanolic extraction and phytochemical screening were carried out. I n vitro anti-haemolytic study, bovine erythrocytes were used to determine the haemolytic activity of the venom of Bitis arietans . Three groups were used which include Groups; A (venom and bovine erythrocytes), B (venom, Mucuna pruriens and bovine erythrocytes), C (Mucuna pruriens and bovine erythrocytes) at concentration of 10 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, and 0.625 mg/ml in triplicates for each group. For the in vivo anti-haemorrhagic assay, Wistar rats were divided into two groups of fifteen rats each i.e. (Group A [N = 15] and Group B [N=15]). Groups A and B were further subdivided into five groups of three rats each and group A were administered venom alone subcutaneously at 10 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, and 0.625 mg/ml, respectively while group B were administered the combination of venom and Mucuna pruriens plant extract At 10 mg/ml, there was significant ( p < 0.001) antihaemolytic activity recorded when compared to other concentrations for each group. Significant inhibition was observed at 1.25 mg/ml ( p < 0.001) and 0.625 mg/ml ( p < 0.01) in group B when compared to control. However, significant differences were also observed at 5 mg/ml ( p < 0.05) and 2.5 mg/ml ( p < 0.01), respectively in group B. Haemorrhagic activity in the Bitis arietans venom-administered group was observed across all concentrations. There was complete inhibition of haemorrhagic activity at 1.25 mg/ml and 0.625 mg/ml in group B which was significant ( p < 0.001) when compared to group A. Also, partial inhibition of haemorrhagic activity at 10 mg/ml ( p < 0.05) and 2.5 mg/ml ( p < 0.01) were recorded. Mucuna pruriens leaf extract mitigated the haemolytic and haemorrhagic effects of Bitis arietans venom. It is recommended that plant remedies from Mucuna pruriens leaf extract may be utilized for the treatment of Bitis arietans snakebite envenomation.