Protective effect of Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleoides and Salvadora persica extracts against Androctonus finitimus envenomation

Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897; Scorpiones: Buthidae) is a highly venomous scorpion species that poses a substantial threat to humans and livestock, often resulting in severe envenomation incidents and even fatalities. Medicinal plants, rich in secondary metabolites, represent a valuable source of compounds with diverse pharmacological and therapeutic potential. Current study investigated the venom neutralization potential of Prosopis cineraria , Salvadora oleoides and Salvadora persica using Swiss albino mice as model. The lethal dose (LD 99 ) of A. finitimus venom for mice was 1.5 μg/g. Methanolic extract of P. cineraria showed 100% venom neutralization, followed by S. persica (72%) and S. oleoides (50%). The values of liver function markers including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and bilirubin; muscle damage markers including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and renal function markers including creatinine and urea were significantly higher in negative control group which did not receive any treatment after exposing with the venom as compared to positive control and plant extract’s treated groups. The major active compounds found in P. cineraria, S. persica and S. oleoides were palmitic acid, neophytadiene and octadecamethyl-cyclononasiloxane respectively. The current study provides some empirical basis for the traditional use of P. cineraria in treating scorpion envenomation and may have potential for development into anti-venom medicines. • Androctonus finitimus scorpion collection and venom extraction • Lethal dose of scorpion venom • Antivenom activity of Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora persica and Salvadora oleoides • Biochemical markers (ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, CPK, LDH) confirmed hepatic, renal and cardiac recovery • Histopathology of liver, kidney, and heart supported biochemical recovery