The action of Hidroxocobalamina in acute Holocalix balansae, Mich. poisoning in rabbits

Abstract

The authors poisoned experimentally 15 rabbits by an intravenous administration of an aqueous extract of Holocalix balansae, Mich. The animals were distributed in 3 groups, each one composed by 5 animals. Group A was considered as control, and did not receive any protection by hidroxocobalamin. Group B received 10 mg/Kg of hidroxocobalamin intravenously, 5 minutes after as intravenous injection of an aqueous extract of Holocalix balansae, Mich. (3,0 g/K). Finally, group C received an intravenous dose of hidroxocobalamin (10 mg/Kg) 5 minutes before the intravenous administration of the aqueous extract of Holocalix balansae, Mich. (3,0 g/Kg). The vegetal extract was prepared accordingly with the procedure of SOUZA (1967). The presence of cyanide was confirmed by the qualitative determination of FEIGL (1954). All animals of group A died 10 minutes after the injection of the aqueous extract preceded by marked respiratory alterations. No death was observed among the animals of groups B and C. Alterations of the respiratory frequency were observed in the animals of group B, during the 5 minutes before the administration of hidroxocobalamin. No alterations were observed in the animals of group C. Finally, the authors concluded that the hidroxocobalamin is an ideal substance for the prophylaxis and treatment of cyanidric poisoning by Holocalix balansae, Mich, or any other cyanogenetic plant.