Assessment of Some Selected Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Snakebites in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Snake bite is one of the serious health conditions that represents a certain burden of death worldwide. Despite the existence of standard therapy for snake bite, some factors, such as inaccessibility of the drugs, poor knowledge of handling of the drug by health care personnel in most primary health care, make the drug worthless. The use of plants with proven beneficial effects is one of the alternatives for managing snake bites in different parts of the world. Bauchi state is blessed with various plant species with different medicinal values. This study aims to assess the different plant species in Bauchi state which have a potent effect on different snake venoms. A field survey was conducted in the three senatorial zones of Bauchi state, and two local government areas were selected from each zone. A thorough search was made to identify individuals who have adequate knowledge on the medicinal plants native to Bauchi, and also those who have adequate experience on the use of different plants that have been used for the management of snakebite. A structured questionnaire was distributed, and the information about different plants was collected and the data were validated by the results obtained from different ethnobotanical surveys done on these plants. The results were tabulated, based on the botanical names of the plants, snake venom used, extract or part of plant preparation and the efficacy of the plant against the venom. The results of the study identified 30 plants and most of the selected plants have active phytochemicals such as Flavonoids, phenols, Tannins and alkaloids, which have potent anti-snake venom activity, such as inhibition of venom enzymes like Phospholipase AL2, Hyaluronidase. Although the use of plants shall not be used alone as a remedy for snake bite they may serve as a complementary treatment or help in first aid measures against snake bite in Bauchi state.