Antisnake venom activities of Aloysia citriodora palau: new applications for a known aromatic plant

Abstract

Traditional medicine in Corrientes Province (Argentina) uses preparations from herbs as one form of medication for the treatment of bites from venomous animals in the form of infusions and cataplasms. We evaluated the effect of essential oils and extracts from aerial parts of A. citriodora against Bothrops diporus venom, yarará chica, in order to prove the traditional antisnake venom properties suggested for this species. Besides, a seasonal and geographical evaluation of the chemical composition of the essential oil was performed in order to assess about its chemical stability. We also demonstrated that A. citriodora possesses, in vitro, antisnake venom activity against B. diporus venom and that essential oil components could be considered as a part of its active constituents. They are the most likely responsible for the plant?s potential therapeutic benefits since they attenuate the proteolytic, coagulant and indirect hemolytic activities of B. diporus venom.