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Anticonvulsant and Behavioural Effects of the Denatured Venom of the Social Wasp Polybia occidentalis (Polistinae, Vespidae)
Author(s) -
Mortari Márcia Renata,
Cunha Alexandra Olimpio Siqueira,
De Oliveira Luciana,
Vieira Eveline Bis,
Gelfuso Erica Aparecida,
CoutinhoNetto Joaquim,
Ferreira dos Santos Wagner
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
basic and clinical pharmacology and toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.805
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1742-7843
pISSN - 1742-7835
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2005.pto_137.x
Subject(s) - vespidae , biology , zoology , venom , ecology , hymenoptera
Several investigations demonstrate that neurotoxins isolated from venoms of spiders and wasps may exert specific and selective activity on structures of the mammalian CNS. In the present work we examine the neurological effects of the low molecular weight compounds of the denatured venom of the neotropical social wasp Polybia occidentalis in freely moving rats. Central administration of denatured venom decreased the duration of exploratory, elevation and grooming behaviours on the open field. Moreover, denatured venom inhibited convulsing action of bicuculline (ED 50 57 μg/μl), picrotoxin (ED 50 75 μg/μl) and kainic acid (ED 50 44 μg/μl), although it was ineffective against pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizures. Despite of its inhibitory activity, toxic effects on motor performance examined in the rotarod test were not found, not even in extremely high doses. Also, denatured venom moderately reduced the spontaneous locomotor activity at anticonvulsant doses. These findings may indicate that the denatured venom has anticonvulsant activity with scarce propensity to cause neurological side‐effects. Further studies are necessary to isolate the active compound and establish its mechanism of action.