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Copyright © All rights are reserved by Abdul M Gbaj.
Drug Designing & Intellectual
Properties International Journal
Research Article ISSN: 2637-4706
An in vivo study for the effect of Citrus reticulata
(Rutaceae) fruit peels extracts on the onset of toxicity of
Cerastes cerastes venom in Albino mice
Mohamed A Gbaj
1
, Inass A Sadawe
2
, Nisreen H Meiqal
2
, Salah M Bensaber
2
, Massaud Salem Maamar
3
, Anton
Hermann
4
and Abdul M Gbaj
2
*
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tripoli, Libya
2
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Tripoli, Libya
3
Zoology Department, Tripoli University, Libya
4
Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Austria
*Corresponding author: Abdul M Gbaj, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Tripoli, Libya
Received: April 03, 2019 Published: April 25, 2019
DOI: 10.32474/DDIPIJ.2019.03.000153
Abstract
Venom of Cerastes cerastes has been extracted and its toxicity was investigated in the presence of aqueous and methanolic
extracts of Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae) fruit peels. The decline in the mean survival time of the male albino swiss mice were used
to deduce the venom property in the presence and absence of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae) fruit
peels. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae) fruit Peels significantly decrease the mean survival time
compared to the venom alone. From these results it was evident that the toxicity of Cerastes cerastes venomis increased significantly
in the presence of Citrus reticulata in a dose dependent manner
Keywords: Citrus reticulata; Cerastes cerastes; Venom; Toxicity
Introduction
Snakebites are severe socio-medical difficulty that lead to
morbid and fatal affect on victims in Libya and other North African
countries [1,2]. Immediate antivenom treatment is crucial and
vital to avoid morbidity and mortality [3]. The oxidative trauma
condition, which result from snake bite envenomation is another
measurement of kidney destruction and severe renal failure [4],
connected with the antioxidant defense system, that might be
subject for treatment by antioxidant therapy [5]. ROS (Reactive
oxygen species) are engaged in many inflammatory reactions, thus
influencing the physiology of the cells and participate a significant
function in the pathological conditions [6]. As have been free
radical, ROS are involved in harming cellular components, and they
play an important function in venom induced toxicity, as reported
among envenomed mice [7]. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that
has been reported to have useful effects on a number of cancer
types [8,9] and could be concerned in alleviation of Reactive oxygen
species cellular damage, produced during exposure to toxins,
metabolism and carcinogens [10]. In addition to augmentation of
protease inhibitor effects concerned in preventing organ efficient
injure [11,12]. Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae) is commonly known as
narangi or santra (orange). It is a small spiny tree with thick top of
slim branches, extensively grown in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya [13].
Mandarin is a collection name for this class of orange with thin, loose
peel. The name ‘tangerine might be applied as an interchange name
to the entire group, but in trade, it is usually limited to the types
with red-orange skin. The fruit has aphrodisiac, laxative, tonic and
astringent properties [14,15]. It is also used to alleviate vomiting
[16,17]. The fruit peel controls the skin moisture, rough and softens
hard skin and possess a cleaning effect on oily skin [18]. Chemical
composition of the volatile oil of the fruit peels of this species has
been reported [19-23]. The effects of the volatile oil of C. reticulata
has been studied against Saccharomyces cerevisiae [24], pathogenic
fungi, Paenibacillus larvae, Schistosoma mansoni, Aspergillus flavus,
and other microorganisms [25-30]. Very recently, the volatile oil
of C. reticulata also demonstrates anticancer activity [31-33]. The
main aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of Citrus