title: Anticonvulsant and behavioural effects of the denatured venom of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis (Polistinae, Vespidae).
abstract: 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 (ED50 57 microg/microl), picrotoxin (ED50 75 microg/microl) and kainic acid (ED50 44 microg/microl), 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.
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia Renata
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mortari
authors.forename: Alexandra Olimpio Siqueira
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Eveline Bis
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Erica Aparecida
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Gelfuso
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coutinho-Netto
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ferreira dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003292:Convulsants; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000523:psychology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D014863:Wasps / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003292:Convulsants; D014862:Wasp Venoms