Muscat, Apr 2 (ONA) — Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) received a
new patent for the invention called “Method of Making an Ajwa Date-
Based Treatment for Snake Envenomation” invented by Dr. Sidgi Syed
Anwar Hassan and Prof. Ali Abdullah Hassan al-Jabri from the College
of Medicine & Health Sciences, Immunology division.
The patent application for this invention was filed on 25/5/2017 and
registered from the USPTO. The invention relates to treatments of
snake envenomation, and particularly to a method of making an Ajwa
date-based composition for the treatment of snake envenomation that
uses an ethanolic extract of date fruits from the Ajwa date palm to treat
local hemorrhage and edema induced by snake bite from venomous
snakes.
Commenting on their work, Prof. Ali al-Jabri said that the invention
was the results of more than ten years of continuous research work. It
relates to a novel treatment for snake envenomation, and particularly to
a method of making an Ajwa date-based composition for the effective
treatment of snake envenomation that uses an ethanolic extract of date
fruit from the Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera L) palm to treat local
hemorrhage and oedema induced by snake bites from venomous
snakes, he said. The importance of this invention is related to the fact
that there are more than 5.5 million snakebites annually across the
globe, which usually results in almost two million envenoming of which
more than 95,000 deaths.
Envenoming by snakes such as Echis ocellatus (E. ocellatus) and
Naja naja nigricollis is responsible for several clinical complications of
severe systemic and local pathology. For example, E. ocellatus leads to
inflammation (such as swelling, blistering, and necrosis) and
haemorrhages due to both metalloproteases and ecarin (an enzyme
that activates prothrombin). On the other hand, envenoming by Naja
naja nigricollis induced clinical complications different from that caused
by E. ocellatus. These include local necrosis, haemorrhage,
complement depletion, and respiratory arrest or paralysis.
Prof. al-Jabri said that although great efforts have been dedicated to
effective remedial and preventive methods, there is currently no
adequate treatment for local haemorghe, oedema and necrosis caused
by snake envenomation.
Intravenous administration of antivenom, prepared from antibodies
(IgG) of venom-immunised horses or sheep, is an effective treatment
for systemic envenoming. However, antivenom is of limited
effectiveness against the effects of local haemorrhage and oedema
that develop rapidly after a snakebite. Research to develop treatment
for local haemorrhage, oedema and dermonecrosis is therefore of
clinical priority and has focused on the application of natural or
synthetic inhibitors of snake venom potent molecules.
“The rational of the current invention was, therefore, to search for an
agent that fulfill the drawbacks associated with the current antivenom.
Luckily after a long period of investigations the inventors came up with
an adequate and a novel method that results in the treatment of local
hemorrhage caused by snake venoms and not only preventing death
but also other clinical complications associated with snake
envenomation. Hence, this invention may also be applicable against
other venomous living creatures, such as scorpions, sea snakes,
poisonous frogs and spiders as well as others. The end users of this
invention can be tourists, soldiers, among others, who may be at risk of
being exposed to poisonous creatures, Prof al-Jabri said.
Source: Oman News Agency