title: Pharmacological characterization of Synoeca cyanea venom: an aggressive social wasp widely distributed in the Neotropical region.
abstract: The venom of social wasps has been poorly studied so far, despite the high number of accidents in humans and assessment of the use of these wasps as a biological control of pests. The study of the pharmacological effects of the venom is of great importance since the poisoning is dangerous causing serious systemic effects, including death in the case of multiple attacks. In this study, the pharmacological activities of venom from the social wasp Synoeca cyanea were evaluated by the following assays: LD50 in mice, the behavioural effects and the hemorrhagic activity induced by the venom in mice, the oedematogenic activity in rat, the haemolysis in human blood, the stimulating effect on guinea-pig smooth muscle, and the antimicrobial activity. The aim was to determine the toxic effects of venom and to perform a comparative study with earlier work conducted with venom from other wasp species. Results showed that S. cyanea venom produced a potent dose-dependent oedema, as well as antibacterial and haemolytic activities, suggesting the presence of histamine, serotonin, kinins and other molecules related to increased vascular permeability and cytolytic activity in this venom. Despite previous studies with wasp venoms, S. cyanea venom presented a slight hemorrhagic effect. Data obtained in the smooth muscle assay also suggest the presence of BK or analogues in S. cyanea whole venom. The knowledge of symptoms and effects produced by S. cyanea venom is critical for health organizations, in order to improve clinical treatment in accidents caused by wasp stings.
authors: Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors: Márcia Renata
authors: MR
authors: Mortari
authors: Lucianna Lopes
authors: LL
authors: do Couto
authors: Lilian Carneiro
authors: LC
authors: dos Anjos
authors: Caroline Barbosa Farias
authors: CB
authors: Mourão
authors: Thalita Soares
authors: TS
authors: Camargos
authors: Jimmy Alexander Guerrero
authors: JA
authors: Vargas
authors: Fagner Neves
authors: FN
authors: Oliveira
authors: Christiano Del Cantoni
authors: Cdel C
authors: Gati
authors: Carlos Alberto
authors: CA
authors: Schwartz
authors: Elisabeth Ferroni
authors: EF
authors: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012919:Social Behavior; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D014863:Wasps / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014862:Wasp Venoms