Africanized Bee Venom (<i>Apis mellifera</i> Linnaeus): Neuroprotective Effects in a Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model Induced by 6-hydroxydopamine
Camila G. Dantas,
Ailma O. da Paixão,
Tássia L. G. M. Nunes,
Italo J. F. Silva,
Bruno dos S. Lima,
Adriano A. S. Araújo,
Ricardo L. C. de Albuquerque-Junior,
Kátia P. Gramacho,
Francine F. Padilha,
Luiz P. da Costa,
Patricia Severino,
Juliana C. Cardoso,
Eliana B. Souto,
Margarete Z. Gomes
Affiliations
Camila G. Dantas
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Ailma O. da Paixão
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Tássia L. G. M. Nunes
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Italo J. F. Silva
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Bruno dos S. Lima
Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe (U.F.S.), Cidade Universitária Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, Av. Marechal Rondon, Jardim Rosa Elze, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
Adriano A. S. Araújo
Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe (U.F.S.), Cidade Universitária Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, Av. Marechal Rondon, Jardim Rosa Elze, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
Ricardo L. C. de Albuquerque-Junior
Department of Pathology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-370, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Kátia P. Gramacho
Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Semi-Árido (U.F.E.R.S.A), Av. Francisco Mota, Costa e Silva, Mossoró 49032-490, Natal, Brazil
Francine F. Padilha
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Luiz P. da Costa
Post-Graduation Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe (U.F.S.), Cidade Universitária Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, Av. Marechal Rondon, Jardim Rosa Elze, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
Patricia Severino
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Juliana C. Cardoso
Institute of Research and Technology, Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
Eliana B. Souto
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Margarete Z. Gomes
Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Semi-Árido (U.F.E.R.S.A), Av. Francisco Mota, Costa e Silva, Mossoró 49032-490, Natal, Brazil
This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the Africanized bee venom (BV) and its mechanisms of action after 6-hydroxydopamine-(6-OHDA)-induced lesion in a mice model. Prior to BV treatment, mice received intrastriatal microinjections of 6-OHDA (no induced dopaminergic neuronal death) or ascorbate saline (as a control). BV was administered subcutaneously at different dosages (0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 mg·Kg−1) once every two days over a period of 3 weeks. The open field test was carried out, together with the immunohistochemical and histopathological analysis. The chemical composition of BV was also assessed, identifying the highest concentrations of apamin, phospholipase A2 and melittin. In the behavioral evaluation, the BV (0.1 mg·Kg−1) counteracted the 6-OHDA-induced decrease in crossings and rearing. 6-OHDA caused loss of dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra pars compacta and fibers in striatum (STR). Mice that received 0.01 mg·Kg−1 showed significant increase in the mean survival of dopaminergic cell bodies. Increased astrocytic infiltration occurred in the STR of 6-OHDA injected mice, differently from those of the groups treated with BV. The results suggested that Africanized BV has neuroprotective activity in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease.
