Anti-cobra venom activity of plant Andrographis paniculata and its comparison with polyvalent anti-snake venom

BACKGROUND: To investigate the anti-cobra venom effect of alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After calculating the LD(99) of snake venom, the venom-neutralizing ability of plant extract at the dose 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg was determined using in vitro and in vivo methods. The alleviation in the mean survival time of the animals were used to infer the antivenom property of the drug after challenging with LD(99) of snake venom. RESULTS: The ethanolic extract of plant A. paniculata significantly increases mean survival time and the protection fold, but could not protect animals from death when used alone. The higher dose, i.e., 2 g/kg was found better than that of the lower. ASV was found more effective than the plant extract. When ASV was given along with plant extract, it potentiates its effect. CONCLUSION: The observation demonstrates the anti-cobra venom activity of ethanolic extract of A. paniculata which is comparable with ASV.