Abstract:
Poisonous snake envenomation is a complex neglected health problem
implicated in mortality, disability, psychological morbidity, and socio-
economic losses recorded worldwide. An antivenin serum, the only medically
recommended treatment for snakebites, has several drawbacks including,
hypersensitivity, inability to prevent local tissue damage, are scarce and
unaffordable in most snakebite endemic areas. In many rural communities all
over the world, plants have been utilized for managing snakebites. This
review seeks to identify plants reported as antivenom remedies in the East
Africa and the scientific studies thereof which could support their use in the
treatment of snake envenomation. A review of scientific articles was
undertaken to identify information on traditional knowledge of medicinal
plants used to treat snake envenomation in East Africa and their antivenom
efficacy. A total of 361 plant species were retrieved to have been reported as
traditional therapies for snakebites in East Africa. The review identified
distinct cases of doctrine of signatures and zoopharmacognosy in snakes
using Opilia amentacea, Hugonia castaneifolia and Microglossa pyrifolia
respectively. Evaluations of the antivenom efficacy of 44 species (12.2%) have
been done globally, and most species found to be effective in neutralizing the
lethal activities of snake venoms. Ethnomedicinal plants play a revered
holistic role in East African antisnake venom therapy. Conyza sumatrensis,
Hyptis pectinata, Justicia betonica, and Maesa lanceolata used to treat specific
snakebites merit further studies.
