Enhancing venom lethality: The incompatibility of Cannabis sativa extract in snakebite management

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Document Type : Original Articles

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1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 School of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

10.22092/ari.2025.368704.3557

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a neglected public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Since it has been found that some victims of snake bites use Cannabis sativa to fight snakebite envenoming, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of this herb on the lethal effects of Naja naja oxiana cobra venom in mice. This study utilized four protocols and 80 mice in ten equal groups. The intraperitoneal (IP) route was used for injection. In protocol I as control, Group A received 2 mg/kg of venom. Groups B1, B2, and B3 received C. sativa extract at 80, 120, and 160 mg/kg doses, respectively. In protocol II, Groups C1 and C2 received simultaneous administration of 80 and 120 mg/kg of the extract, laterally with 2 mg/kg of venom. In protocol III, groups D1 and D2 were injected with 2 mg/kg of venom, followed by the administration of 80 and 120 mg/kg of the extract after a 20-minute interval. In protocol IV, groups E1 and E2 received the pre-incubated (20 minutes) of venom-extract at the similar doses. On average, animals succumbed to death 35 minutes after being injected with venom. The extract significantly reduced this time in groups C1, C2, D2, E1 (P<0.01), and E2 (P<0.001) compared to group A. The Cannabis sativa not only unable to neutralize the lethal effect of N. n. oxiana venom, but it also potentiates its effect and significantly decreased the time of the animal’s death.

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Archives of Razi Institute

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 April 2025

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