Compensatory Effects of Medicinal Plants of Pakistan upon Prolongation of Coagulation Assays Induced by Naja naja karachiensis Bite

The present study was carried out to evaluate 28 medicinal plants of Pakistan having folklore claims to neutralize coagulopathy induced by Naja naja karachiensis bite in comparison with standard antidote. Venom was tested on citrated human plasma to determine its effect on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT). Snake venom (200 μg/ml) was found to delay PT (13 ± 0.57 to 23 ± 0.57 sec), aPTT (35 ± 1.52 to 48 ± 2.0 sec) and TT (13 ± 0.57 to 33 ± 0.57 sec) within 4.5% coefficient of variance. Prolongation of PT and TT suggested the presence of thrombin-like or plasminogen activating enzymes. Methanolic plant extracts (5 μg/ml) were considered as effective standard antidote. Enicostemma hyssopifolium (Willd.) Verdoorn (PT = 22 ± 0.57 sec, aPTT = 36 ± 1.00 sec, TT = 19 ± 0.57 sec) and Stenolobium stans (L) D. Don (PT = 16 ± 0.57 sec, aPTT = 36 ± 0.57 sec, TT = 29 ± 0.57 sec) were considered the most protective (≥70%, but ≤92%) from the rest of the listed medicinal plants. Nevertheless, further studies are required for identification and segregation of bioactive constituent(s) as an alternate and cheap source to treat anticoagulation.