Proteolytic-independent cobra neurotoxin inhibiting activity of Curcuma sp. (Zingiberaceae)

The 1: 1 (w/v) aqueous extract of Curcuma sp. (Zingiberaceae) was shown to antagonize the toxic action of Naja naja siamensis neurotoxin possibly via direct inactivation of the toxin. The plant extract possessed proteolytic activity which could be separated from the neurotoxin inhibiting activity. The mechanism of antagonism between the plant extract and the neurotoxin was shown not to be involved with the existence of proteolytic activity in the plant extract.