Biological and pharmacological evaluation of crude venom extracted from Tetraodon fahaka strigosus and Potamotrygon garouensis obtained from River Niger, Niger State, Nigeria

The present study investigates some biological and pharmacological effects of Tetraodon fahaka strigosus (Puffer fish) and Potamotrygon garouensis (Stingray) venom extracts. The saline extracts from skin and innards of T. fahaka strigosus and P. garouensis were used to evaluate haemolytic, enzymatic and in vitro antioxidants activities. In vivo determination of median lethal dose, some blood biochemical parameters and analgesics activities of the extracts in mice were also carried out. The result of this study showed that all extracts from both the puffer fish and stingray showed significantly haemolytic, proteolytic and phospholipase activities. The DPPH scavenging activity of different parts (innard and skin extracts) of puffer fish and stingray demonstrated significantly antioxidant activity at IC50 values 0.16 mg/ml and 0.15 mg/ml and 0.20 mg/ml and 0.01 mg/ml respectively; when compared to the negative control. Median lethal dose range between 31-90 mg/kg body weight. Furthermore, there was significant increase (p