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Venom's antinociceptive property in the primitive ant Dinoponera quadriceps

2012; Elsevier BV; Volume: 144; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.033

1872-7573

Paloma Leão Sousa, Yves Quinet, Edson Lopes da Ponte, Jaqueline F. do Vale, Alba Torres, Maria Gonçalves Pereira, Ana Maria Sampaio Assreuy,

Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

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. 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.). 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. 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.