INHIBITION OF AGKISTRODON ACUTUS AND AGKISTRODON HALYS PALLAS VENOM ACTIVITIES BY HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT TANNIN FROM PERSIMMON PULP

Persimmon fruits are traditionally used for many medicinal purposes but little is known on the scientific basis for its physiological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the detoxifying effects of persimmon high molecular weight tannin (HMWT) on Agkistrodon halys Pallas venom (AhPV) and Agkistrodon acutus venom (AaV). Venom was mixed with HMWT at different ratios and then the mixtures were injected to the mice; the myotoxic activity, hemorrhagic activity, and phospholipase A2 activity were determined. The venom and HMWT were given to mice separately, and the inhibition of lethality was observed. When HMWT was incubated with venom, prior to administration, it exhibited full inhibition of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), myotoxic and hemorrhagic activities induced by AhPV and AaV at the ratio of 1:1 (w/w). In vivo tests showed that HMWT had significant protective effects on lethality caused by AhPV or AaV in a dose-dependent manner, as it was administered separately from the venom. Preventively oral administration of HMWT at the dose of 10 mg/20 g b.w. per day for 5 days could increase the mean surviving time of the poisoned mice by 3-5 times. 100% of mice were protected by injection (i.v.) of HMWT at 1:1 ratio (HMWT/venom, w/w). And all three modes of administration (oral, i.p. and i.v.) of HMWT could significantly (p<0.01) prolong the surviving time of AhPV or AaV poisoned mice. The present study confirmed that HMWT possesses potent snake venom neutralizing properties.