Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Mezoneuron benthamianum has a history of traditional use in West African ethnomedicine for the treatment of snake bites. Ethnobotanical surveys from regions such as Nigeria and Ghana consistently report its application by local healers, often as a decoction or poultice, sometimes in combination with other plants. The rationale for its use is primarily based on empirical knowledge passed down through generations, rather than controlled scientific studies. Documentation can be found in works such as “Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Snakebite in Nigeria” (Etuk et al., 2016) and “Traditional management of snakebite envenomation in Ghana” (Asase et al., 2008), where Mezoneuron benthamianum is listed among plants employed in snake bite management.

However, there is very limited scientific validation of its efficacy. Available literature predominantly describes its use in traditional settings and does not provide data from laboratory or clinical studies demonstrating direct anti-venom activity, mechanisms of action, or bioactive compounds responsible for neutralizing snake venom. Some preliminary phytochemical analyses indicate the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, which may possess general anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties, but this does not equate to specific anti-venom effects. Thus, the evidence supporting its use for snake bite is rated low, as it is rooted in tradition with minimal scientific substantiation.

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