title: Venom's antinociceptive property in the primitive ant Dinoponera quadriceps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In northeastern Brazil, Dinoponera (Ponerinae) ants macerate are used to treat ear ache and its sting, rheumatism, and back pain. Such a popular use is a relevant fact that called for experimental evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of Dinoponera venom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dinoponera quadriceps venom (DqV; 5-500 μg/kg; i.v.) or morphine (3.4 mg/kg; s.c.) were evaluated in mice models of nociception (n=8 animals/group). Negative controls received sterile saline (0.9% NaCl; i.v.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  DqV showed 64% protein content and exhibited antinociceptive activity, without affecting motor function, in the tests: formalin (72%), writhing (52%), von Frey (71%) and hot plate (45%). The antinociceptive activity was abolished under protein denaturant conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided the first demonstration of the antinociceptive property of Dinoponera quadriceps venom in mice models of chemical, mechanical and thermal nociception, corroborating the popular use and suggesting its potential therapeutic utilization in painful conditions.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Superior de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Estadual do Ceará-UECE, Av. Paranjana 1700, Itaperi 60 740-000, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paloma L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Quinet
authors.forename: Edson L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Ponte
authors.forename: Jaqueline F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: do Vale
authors.forename: Alba Fabíola C
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Ana Maria S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Assreuy
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002351:Carrageenan; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D014688:Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014688:Venoms; D005557:Formaldehyde; D002351:Carrageenan; D019342:Acetic Acid