ARISTOLOCHIA INDICA: ANTI-VENOM POTENTIAL, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES – A REVIEW

Aristolochia indica (family Aristolochiaceae) has a long ethnomedicinal history in South Asia, where traditional healers use root and whole-plant preparations for treating snakebite, inflammation, and wounds. Modern preclinical investigations reveal that extracts—especially methanolic and ethyl-acetate fractions—can inhibit venom-associated enzymes (phospholipase A₂, proteases, hyaluronidase, L-amino acid oxidase), reduce local tissue necrosis, edema and hemorrhage, and increase survival in animal models. The aristolochic acids and related phenanthrene alkaloids are frequently implicated in these bioactivities. However, aristolochic acids are also strongly nephrotoxic and carcinogenic, causing Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN) and urothelial malignancies.[1] This dichotomy limits clinical translation but motivates targeted research: bioassay-guided fractionation to identify AA-free venom-neutralizing moieties, advanced extraction and detoxification strategies, and formulation approaches (local/topical delivery) to minimize systemic exposure. This article synthesizes traditional knowledge, a comprehensive phytochemical profile, all reported pharmacological activities (ancient and modern), advanced extraction techniques, detailed toxicity data, the clinical evidence status, and practical recommendations for future research and safe translational pathways.[2]