Enhancing venom lethality: The incompatibility of Cannabis Sativa extract in Snakebite Management

Snakebite envenoming is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a neglected public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Since some victims of snake bites have been reported to use Cannabis sativa to fight snakebite envenoming, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of this herb on the lethal effects of Naja naja oxiana cobra venom in mice. This study utilized four protocols and ۸۰ mice, divided into ten equal groups. The intraperitoneal (IP) route was used for injection. In protocol I ( control), Group A received ۲ mg/kg of venom. Groups B۱, B۲, and B۳ received C. sativa extract at doses of ۸۰, ۱۲۰, and ۱۶۰ mg/kg, respectively. In protocol II, Groups C۱ and C۲ received simultaneous administration of ۸۰ and ۱۲۰ mg/kg of the extract together with ۲ mg/kg of venom.In protocol III, groups D۱ and D۲ were injected with ۲ mg/kg of venom, followed by administration of ۸۰ and ۱۲۰ mg/kg of the extract after a ۲۰-minute interval. In protocol IV, groups E۱ and E۲ received the pre-incubated (۲۰ minutes) of venom-extract at the similar doses. On average, animals succumbed to death ۳۵ minutes after being injected with venom. The extract significantly reduced this time in groups C۱, C۲, D۲, E۱ (P<۰.۰۱), and E۲ (P<۰.۰۰۱) compared with group A. The Cannabis sativa was  not only unable to neutralize the lethal effect of N. n. oxiana venom, but it also potentiates its effect , significantly decreasing  the time of the animal’s death.

کلیدواژه ها:

Medicinal plants ، Cannabis sativa ، Naja naja Oxiana ، Snakebite