peganum harmala extract delayed the lethal effect of viper snake echis carinatus venom in mice

This study investigated the possible antagonistic effects of peganum harmala extract against the lethal toxicity of echis. carinatus venom. a total of 72 adult albino mice were divided into 12 equal groups in 6 experimental protocols. in protocol i (control), group a only treated with e. carinatus venom (10 mg/kg). they died after 80 min averagely. in protocol ii, groups b1 and b2 were treated simultaneously with 15 and 30 mg/kg of p. harmala, respectively, and 10 mg/kg venom. their survival time increased to 232 and 210 min, respectively. in protocol iii, groups c1 and c2 were treated with 10 mg/kg venom followed 15 min later by p. harmala at 15 and 30 mg/kg respectively. their time to death was increased to 246 and 220 min respectively. in protocol iv, groups d1 and d2, treated with pre-incubated of venom with 15 and 30 mg/kg of p. harmala. their survival time increased to 211 and 195 min, respectively. in protocol v groups e1 and e2 received only p. harmala extract intraperitoneally (15 and 30 mg/kg). in protocol vi, groups f1, f2, and f3 received only p. harmala extract (orally) at 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg. all mice in these groups remained alive. peganum harmala extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased animal survival time, has an antagonistic effect against lethal action of echis carinatus venom.