The effects of the Brazilian antDinoponera quadriceps venom on chemically induced seizure models

Abstract

Arthropod venoms are potential sources of neuroactive substances, providing new tools for the design of drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Dinoponera quadriceps venom (DqV) on seizure models in mice induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), pilocarpine, and strychnine. In the PTZ model, intraperitoneal treatment with DqV (0.5mg/kg) increased the time until the first seizure and the percentage of survival (155.4±27.7s/12.5%, p<0.05) compared to the control group (79.75±3.97s/0%), whereas endovenous treatment (0.1 and 0.5mg/kg) decreased the time until the first seizure (0.1mg/kg: 77.83±5.3s versus 101.0±3.3s in the control group; 0.5mg/kg: 74.43±3.9s versus 101.0±3.3s for the control group, p<0.05). We did not observe significant changes in the pilocarpine- and strychnine-induced seizure models. In assays that measured oxidative parameters in the PTZ model, intraperitoneal treatment with DqV (0.5 and 2.0mg/kg) only decreased the levels of MDA and nitrite in the cortex. However, endovenous treatment with DqV (0.1 and 0.5mg/kg) increased the levels of MDA in the cortex and hippocampus and at a dose of 0.5mg/kg in the striatum. Moreover, increased in nitrite content was observed in all three of the brain regions analyzed. Taken together, the D. quadriceps venom caused both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects in a PTZ-induced seizure model, and this effect was dependent on the route of administration used.

Pro- and Anticonvulsant Effects of the Ant Dinoponera quadriceps (Kempf) Venom in Mice

“…Recently, Lopes et al (2013) reported the neuroprotective effect of the venom of D. quadriceps through i.p. injection in the model of seizures induced by PTZ and an opposite effect when the venom was injected e.v.…”

Insects: an underrepresented resource for the discovery of biologically active natural products

“…In 2012, investigation into Dinoponera venom revealed antinociceptive activity supporting its use in pain treatment 53 . Furthermore, it showed neuroprotective effects when administered as an intraperitoneal treatment as measured by a pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model in mice 54 . This is an important proof of concept step in the search for new treatments for epilepsy.…”

Antimicrobial effect of Dinoponera quadriceps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) venom against Staphylococcus aureus strains

“…) and antiseizure potentials in DqV (Lopes et al . ). In this context, the aim of this work was to study the antimicrobial activity of DqV against different Staphylococcus aureus strains and suggest the antimicrobial action mechanism.…”

“…Dinoponera quadriceps venom (DqV) biological action is poorly known. However, a few studies showed antinociceptive (Souza et al 2012) and antiseizure potentials in DqV (Lopes et al 2013). In this context, the aim of this work was to study the antimicrobial activity of DqV against different Staphylococcus aureus strains and suggest the antimicrobial action mechanism.…”