Comparative Assessment of Nigerian and Yemeni Garlic as Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) Inhibitors in Snakebite Envenomation Therapy

Snakebite envenomation remains a significant medical challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory potential of Allium sativum (garlic) from Nigeria and Yemen against Naja nigricollis and Echis ocellatus venoms using both experimental and computational approaches. Fresh garlic samples were collected, authenticated, and extracted using cold methanol maceration to yield Nigerian and Yemeni methanol extracts (NME and YME, respectively). Their antisnake venom activities were assessed in vitro and in silico, with polyvalent antivenin (ASV) serving as the standard control. Comparative qualitative phytochemical screening was performed to identify secondary metabolites in both extracts. The results demonstrated significant (p<0.05), concentration-dependent inhibition of venom phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activity. YME exhibited superior PLA₂ inhibitory activity (80.02 to 53.01%) compared to NME (72.51 to 38.20%) across concentrations ranging from 10.0 to 0.625 mg/mL. Furthermore, molecular docking of bioactive compounds identified in YME via HPLC and LC-MS/MS revealed strong binding affinities (−8.5 to −7.2 kcal/mol) to the active site of PLA₂, indicating potential inhibitory interactions. The selected compounds also exhibited favorable drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic (ADMET) profiles. In conclusion, the study provides scientific validation for the traditional use of Allium sativum in Nigeria and Yemen as an herbal remedy for snakebite envenomation, highlighting the promising anti-snake venom potential of Yemeni garlic through PLA₂ inhibition.