EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF TAMARINDUS INDICA SEEDS ON SOME ENZYMES FROM NAJA NIGRICOLLIS VENOM

Snakebite envenomation remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural areas where access to conventional antivenom for its treatment and management is limited. This study investigates the effects of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica seed on some enzymes of Naja nigricollis venom. It aimed to evaluate the extract inhibitory effects on some enzymes from Naja nigricolllis venom. Phytochemical analysis on Tamarindus indica extract was evaluated (phenols and flavonoids). The activities of the enzymes were assayed and the inhibitory effects of the aqueous extract on the venom were evaluated. The extraction yielded 10.25% crude extract, which contained significant amounts of flavonoids (50.93±0.90 mg/100g) and phenols (695.35±1.53 mg/100g). The extract demonstrated remarkable antioxidant capabilities through the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, with concentration-dependent activity peaking at 87.30±0.26% at 100µg/ml, nearly matching the efficacy of ascorbic acid (89.82±0.55%). The extract exhibited significant inhibitory effects on key venom enzymes. Protease inhibition reached 69.76±0.29% at 100µg/ml (IC50: 66.24µg/ml). Phospholipase A2 inhibition was particularly notable at 77.40±0.77% (100µg/ml, IC50: 53.26µg/ml). Acetylcholinesterase inhibition reached 65.03±0.73% at 100µg/ml (IC50: 64.21µg/ml), while L-amino acid oxidase inhibition was 55.83±0.86% (100µg/ml, IC50: 84.91µg/ml). All inhibitory activities showed concentration-dependent trends. These findings suggest that the aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica seed possesses significant antivenom potential, likely due to its high phenol and flavonoid content. The multi-target inhibitory activity observed indicates promising therapeutic applications, particularly as a complementary treatment for snake envenomation.