title: Effects induced by Apis mellifera venom and its components in experimental models of nociceptive and inflammatory pain.
abstract: The effects induced by Apis mellifera venom (AMV), melittin-free AMV, fraction with molecular mass < 10 kDa (F<₁₀) or melittin in nociceptive and inflammatory pain models in mice were investigated. Subcutaneous administration of AMV (2, 4 or 6 mg/kg) or melittin-free AMV (1, 2 or 4 mg/kg) into the dorsum of mice inhibited both phases of formaldehyde-induced nociception. However, F<₁₀ (2, 4 or 6 mg/kg) or melittin (2 or 3 mg/kg) inhibited only the second phase. AMV (4 or 6 mg/kg), but not F<₁₀, melittin-free AMV or melittin, induced antinociception in the hot-plate model. Paw injection of AMV (0.05 or 0.10 mg), F<₁₀ (0.05 or 0.1 mg) or melittin (0.025 or 0.050 mg) induced a nociceptive response. In spite of inducing nociception after paw injection, scorpion (Tityus serrulatus) or snake (Bothrops jararaca) venom injected into the dorsum of mice did not inhibit formaldehyde-induced nociception. In addition, AMV (6 mg/kg), but not F<₁₀ (6 mg/kg) or melittin (3 mg/kg), inhibited formaldehyde paw oedema. Concluding, AMV, F<₁₀ and melittin induce two contrasting effects: nociception and antinociception. AMV antinociception involves the action of different components and does not result from non-specific activation of endogenous antinociceptive mechanisms activated by exposure to noxious stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Merlo
authors.forename: Leandro F S
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Adriana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: Leonardo T S
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Elias B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: André L L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.forename: Tasso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moraes-Santos
authors.forename: Antônio A C
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zumpano
authors.forename: Esther M A F
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Luiz Guilherme D
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Heneine
authors.forename: Márcio M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Coelho
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008555:Melitten / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010147:Pain Measurement
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D005557:Formaldehyde; D008555:Melitten