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

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...

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Published in:Neurochemistry international 2013-09, Vol.63 (3), p.141-145
Main Authors: Lopes, Kamila Soares, Rios, Emiliano Ricardo Vasconcelos, Lima, Camila Nayane de Carvalho, Linhares, Maria Isabel, Torres, Alba Fabíola Costa, Havt, Alexandre, Quinet, Yves Patric, Fonteles, Marta Maria de França, Martins, Alice Maria Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthropoda
Dinoponera quadriceps
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Summary: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 (0.5 mg/kg) increased the time until the first seizure and the percentage of survival (155.4 plus or minus 27.7 s/12.5%, p < 0.05) compared to the control group (79.75 plus or minus 3.97 s/0%), whereas endovenous treatment (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) decreased the time until the first seizure (0.1 mg/kg: 77.83 plus or minus 5.3 s versus 101.0 plus or minus 3.3 s in the control group; 0.5 mg/kg: 74.43 plus or minus 3.9 s versus 101.0 plus or minus 3.3 s 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 2.0 mg/kg) only decreased the levels of MDA and nitrite in the cortex. However, endovenous treatment with DqV (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) increased the levels of MDA in the cortex and hippocampus and at a dose of 0.5 mg/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.
ISSN:0197-0186
DOI:10.1016/j.neuint.2013.06.001