title: Novel Pharmacological Properties of Dinoponera quadriceps Giant Ant Venom.
abstract: The South American giant ant, Dinoponera quadriceps (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae), produces proteinaceous venom that has antinociceptive, neuroprotective and antimicrobial effects, thereby supporting the popular use of these ants to treat asthma, rheumatism, earache and back pain. Anticoagulant activity is another biological property that has been shown for the venom of other hymenopteran species, like wasps. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties of D. quadriceps venom (DqV). DqV anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by intravenous administration in Swiss mice in the models of paw edema and peritonitis. In vitro, DqV was assessed in coagulation (activated partial thromboplastin time) and platelet aggregation tests. DqV inhibited (27-33%) the edema elicited by carrageenan and the leucocyte migration (43%) elicited by zymosan. DqV decreased by 57% and 42%, respectively, the content of malondialdehyde and nitrite in the peritoneal fluid. DqV prolonged (1.8x) the clotting time and decreased (27%) the platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate. The crude venom of D. quadriceps presents an anti-inflammatory effect in mice and in vitro anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects.
authors.forename: Juliana da Costa
authors.initials: Jda C
authors.lastname: Madeira
authors.forename: Yves Patric
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Quinet
authors.forename: Dayanne Terra Tenório
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Nonato
authors.forename: Paloma Leão
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Edna Maria Camelo
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.lastname: José Eduardo Ribeiro Honório Júnior
authors.forename: Maria Gonçalves
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Ana Maria Sampaio
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Assreuy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000862:Ant Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001000:Ants / Q000502:physiology*; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000633:toxicity; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D015054:Zymosan / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000862:Ant Venoms; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D002351:Carrageenan; D015054:Zymosan