Characterization of the Factor Responsible for the Antisnake Activity of Mucuna Prurien's Seeds

Background. Mucuna pruriens DC. (Papilionacee) has been used since several years in traditional medicine in West Africa. In Plateau State, Nigeria, the seed is prescribed as a prophylactic oral anti-snake remedy by traditional medicine pratictioners. The protective effect of a water extract of Mucuna pruriens’ seed against Echiscarinatus and Naja hannah venom has been reported. Aims The purpose of our re search is to characterize the factor (s) responsible for such antisnake activity of Mucuna pruriens seeds . Methods. A water extract of the seeds was first submitted to precipitation with solid (NH4)2SO4 and then the components were separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G50 column obtaining two fractions, the first one containing proteins. Mice were first treated with the proteic fraction: 24 hours and 14 days minimal lethal dose of Echiscarinatus venom (2 mg/Kg mouse) was injected. Results and conclusions. We demonstrated that the protective principle is a protein and this could be of importance in snakebite therapy and prevention . We are carrying out further researches for the identification of the protein(s) responsible for the antisnake activity of Mucuna pruriens’ seeds and its mechanism of action.