Medicinal plants for the treatment of snakebite envenoming: A Review

Abstract

In Nigeria, particularly within the Savannah region, venomous snakebites are a major public health concern, often leading to high mortality rates and permanent disabilities. Snake venom is highly toxic and requires the immediate administration of antivenom, which remains the most effective and widely accepted therapy. However, the limitations of conventional antivenoms including high cost, restricted availability and poor accessibility have spurred growing interest in traditional medicine. In this context, small-molecule inhibitors derived from medicinal plants, historically used by traditional healers to counteract snake venom, are gaining renewed attention. Ethnobotanical surveys have revealed the use of numerous plants in snakebite treatment, reflecting their cultural and therapeutic significance. To identify these plants, highlight scientific advances, and uncover gaps in their application for antivenom development, a narrative review was conducted. Relevant publications on medicinal plants used in snakebite management were retrieved from various scientific databases and systematically reviewed. This review considers the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants in snakebite treatment, their botanical descriptions and phytochemistry, as well as empirical reports on documented species used against snake envenomation. Furthermore, it underscores the critical need for well-designed clinical trials to provide scientific validation and support the integration of these medicinal plants into modern therapeutic strategies.