ABSTRACT
Animals producing venoms pose challenges to public health across the globe. However, the degree of severity, caused by their envenomation varies from one another. Their major pathophysiology is characterized by tissue damages, edema, hemorrhage, hyperglycemia, hypertension or hypotension, hypothermia, myonecrosis, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity as well as other systemic response. This chapter documents the various plants used in the treatment of venoms from snakes and scorpions. A literature search was conducted using the keywords “phytochemicals,” “venom,” “antivenom activities,” and “envenomation,” in different combinations. Articles were selected based on the appearance of relevant keywords in their titles and/ or abstracts. The active principles identified in these literature searches include 4-nerolidylcatechol, arjunolic acid, neolignans, piperine, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, β-sitosterol among others. Their mechanisms of action include the inhibition of enzymes such as phospholipase, ability to neutralize some metallo- and serine proteinases in venoms, their antihemorrhagic, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edematogenic effects.
