Anti-venom potentials of Toona ciliata against cobra venom and chemical constituents of its essential and non-volatile oils

There are high mortality and morbidity rates due to poisonous snakebites globally with sub-Saharan Africa having some of the highest cases. Uganda is one the tropical countries with many poisonous snakes causing serious health hazards. Antivenin serum is the only remedy available to treat snakebite victims successfully to date. Infusion of antivenin drugs may lead to adverse reactions ranging from severe itching of the skin, hives to potentially serious allergic reactions. Due high cost and lack of antivenin drugs in residents of rural communities in Uganda, herbalists use different herbal formulations to treat snakebite victims. This study was conducted to search of a cheap, readily available and easy formulate remedies for treating snakebite victims. Root bark of Toona ciliata which is one of many plants used by herbalist was chosen for analysis of its anti-venom potentials. The aqueous extract of T. ciliata was tested for anti-venom potential against forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) by both in-vivo and in-vitro methods. Chemical constituents of essential and non-volatile oils of T. ciliata were analysed using GC-MSMS and identified using Wiley Library of Mass Spectra database of the GC/MS system.