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Zainal Abidin SA, Liew AKY, Othman I, Shaikh F. Animal Venoms as Potential Source of Anticonvulsants. F1000Res 2024; 13:225. [PMID: 38919947 PMCID: PMC11196940 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.147027.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy affects millions of people worldwide, and there is an urgent need to develop safe and effective therapeutic agents. Animal venoms contain diverse bioactive compounds like proteins, peptides, and small molecules, which may possess medicinal properties against epilepsy. In recent years, research has shown that venoms from various organisms such as spiders, ants, bees, wasps, and conus snails have anticonvulsant and antiepileptic effects by targeting specific receptors and ion channels. This review underscores the significance of purified proteins and toxins from these sources as potential therapeutic agents for epilepsy. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the valuable role of animal venoms as a natural resource for further exploration in epilepsy treatment research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syafiq Asnawi Zainal Abidin
- Monash University Malaysia, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Anthony Kin Yip Liew
- Monash University Malaysia, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Monash University Malaysia, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Farooq Shaikh
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia
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Paes LCF, Lima DB, Silva DMAD, Valentin JT, Aquino PEAD, García-Jareño AB, Orzaéz M, Fonteles MMDF, Martins AMC. Exploring the neuroprotective potential of antimicrobial peptides from Dinoponera quadriceps venom against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in vivo. Toxicon 2024; 237:107538. [PMID: 38030096 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide and 30% of patients have difficulty controlling the disease. The search for substances that can fill the existing gaps in the treatment of epilepsy is of great importance. Arthropod venoms are promising sources for this purpose due to the presence of small peptides that modulate the activity of ion channels and neuron receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate dinoponeratoxins from the Dinoponera quadriceps ant venom (M-PONTX-Dq3a, M-PONTX-Dq3b and M-PONTX-Dq3c) as potential anticonvulsants. We evaluated them in a seizure model induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in male swiss mice. Interestingly, intraperitoneal treatment with each peptide increased the time until the first seizure and the percentage of survival, with M-PONTX-Dq3b showing the best results. M-PONTX-Dq3a was discarded due to the appearance of some signs of toxicity with the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the striatum. Both, M-PONTX-Dq3b and M-PONTX-Dq3c decreased iNOS and TNF-α in the hippocampus. Notably, M-PONTX-Dq3c treatment decreased the levels of MDA and nitrite in the cortex and hippocampus. Our results indicate that, M-PONTX-Dq3b and M-PONTX-Dq3c have anticonvulsant activity and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in epilepsy, offering new perspectives for biopharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Correia Fernandes Paes
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430372, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Dânya Bandeira Lima
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430372, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Moreira Alves da Silva
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430372, Ceará, Brazil
| | - José Tiago Valentin
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430372, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Alicia Belén García-Jareño
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation Lab and Peptide Synthesis Platform, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, 46012, Spain
| | - Mar Orzaéz
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation Lab and Peptide Synthesis Platform, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, 46012, Spain
| | - Marta Maria de França Fonteles
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430372, Ceará, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430-275, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Alice Maria Costa Martins
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430372, Ceará, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430-275, Ceará, Brazil.
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Siddiqui SA, Li C, Aidoo OF, Fernando I, Haddad MA, Pereira JA, Blinov A, Golik A, Câmara JS. Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes - A comprehensive review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15938. [PMID: 37206028 PMCID: PMC10189416 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomotherapy, the use of insects for medicinal purposes, has been practised for centuries in many countries around the world. More than 2100 edible insect species are eaten by humans, but little is known about the possibility of using these insects as a promising alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for treating diseases. This review offers a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic applications of insects and how they might be used in medicine. In this review, 235 insect species from 15 orders are reported to be used as medicine. Hymenoptera contains the largest medicinal insect species, followed by Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Blattodea. Scientists have examined and validated the potential uses of insects along with their products and by-products in treating various diseases, and records show that they are primarily used to treat digestive and skin disorders. Insects are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds, explaining their therapeutic features such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and so on. Challenges associated with the consumption of insects (entomophagy) and their therapeutic uses include regulation barriers and consumer acceptance. Moreover, the overexploitation of medicinal insects in their natural habitat has led to a population crisis, thus necessitating the investigation and development of their mass-rearing procedure. Lastly, this review suggests potential directions for developing insects used in medicine and offers advice for scientists interested in entomotherapy. In future, entomotherapy may become a sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating various ailments and has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), Prof.-von-Klitzing Str. 7, 49610 D-Quakenbrück, Germany
- Corresponding author. Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany.
| | - Chujun Li
- Guangzhou Unique Biotechnology Co., Ltd, 510663, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Owusu Fordjour Aidoo
- Department of Biological, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, 00233, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Ito Fernando
- Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Moawiya A. Haddad
- Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, 19117, Al-Salt, Jordan
| | - Jorge A.M. Pereira
- CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Andrey Blinov
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Street 1, 355009, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Andrey Golik
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Street 1, 355009, Stavropol, Russia
| | - José S. Câmara
- CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Engenharia, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Corresponding author. CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal.
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Vicente-Silva W, Silva-Freitas FR, Beserra-Filho JIA, Cardoso GN, Silva-Martins S, Sarno TA, Silva SP, Soares-Silva B, Dos Santos JR, da Silva RH, Prado CM, Ueno AK, Lago JHG, Ribeiro AM. Sakuranetin exerts anticonvulsant effect in bicuculline-induced seizures. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2022; 36:663-673. [PMID: 35156229 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by an abnormal, spontaneous, and synchronized neuronal hyperactivity. Therapeutic approaches for controlling epileptic seizures are associated with pharmacoresistance and side effects burden. Previous studies reported that different natural products may have neuroprotector effects. Sakuranetin (SAK) is a flavanone with antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antiallergic, and antioxidant activity. In the present work, the effect of SAK on seizures in a model of status epilepticus induced by bicuculline (BIC) in mice was evaluated. Male Swiss mice received an intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of SAK (1, 10, or 20 mg/kg-SAK1, SAK10, or SAK20). Firstly, animals were evaluated in the open field (OF; 20 min), afterwards in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test (5 min). Next, 30 min prior the administration of BIC (1 mg/kg), mice received an injection of SAK (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.c.v.) and were observed in the OF (20 min) for seizures assessment. After behavioral procedures, immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos was performed. Our main results showed that the lowest doses of SAK (1 and 10 mg/kg) increased the total distance traveled in the OF, moreover protected against seizures and death on the BIC-induced seizures model. Furthermore, SAK treatment reduced neuronal activity on the dentate gyrus of the BIC-treated animals. Taken together, our results suggest an anticonvulsant effect of SAK, which could be used for the development of anticonvulsants based on natural products from herbal source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Vicente-Silva
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Suellen Silva-Martins
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamires Alves Sarno
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Pereira Silva
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Soares-Silva
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Regina Helena da Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Máximo Prado
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson Keity Ueno
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
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Gernert M, Feja M. Bypassing the Blood-Brain Barrier: Direct Intracranial Drug Delivery in Epilepsies. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12121134. [PMID: 33255396 PMCID: PMC7760299 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsies are common chronic neurological diseases characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures of central origin. The mainstay of treatment involves symptomatic suppression of seizures with systemically applied antiseizure drugs (ASDs). Systemic pharmacotherapies for epilepsies are facing two main challenges. First, adverse effects from (often life-long) systemic drug treatment are common, and second, about one-third of patients with epilepsy have seizures refractory to systemic pharmacotherapy. Especially the drug resistance in epilepsies remains an unmet clinical need despite the recent introduction of new ASDs. Apart from other hypotheses, epilepsy-induced alterations of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are thought to prevent ASDs from entering the brain parenchyma in necessary amounts, thereby being involved in causing drug-resistant epilepsy. Although an invasive procedure, bypassing the BBB by targeted intracranial drug delivery is an attractive approach to circumvent BBB-associated drug resistance mechanisms and to lower the risk of systemic and neurologic adverse effects. Additionally, it offers the possibility of reaching higher local drug concentrations in appropriate target regions while minimizing them in other brain or peripheral areas, as well as using otherwise toxic drugs not suitable for systemic administration. In our review, we give an overview of experimental and clinical studies conducted on direct intracranial drug delivery in epilepsies. We also discuss challenges associated with intracranial pharmacotherapy for epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gernert
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany;
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)511-953-8527
| | - Malte Feja
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany;
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
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Dodou Lima HV, Sidrim de Paula Cavalcante C, Rádis-Baptista G. Antimicrobial activity of synthetic Dq-3162, a 28-residue ponericin G-like dinoponeratoxin from the giant ant Dinoponera quadriceps venom, against carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Toxicon 2020; 187:19-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Ceolin Mariano DO, de Oliveira ÚC, Zaharenko AJ, Pimenta DC, Rádis-Baptista G, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRDB. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080448. [PMID: 31362422 PMCID: PMC6722740 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant species have specialized venom systems developed to sting and inoculate a biological cocktail of organic compounds, including peptide and polypeptide toxins, for the purpose of predation and defense. The genus Dinoponera comprises predatory giant ants that inoculate venom capable of causing long-lasting local pain, involuntary shaking, lymphadenopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, among other symptoms. To deepen our knowledge about venom composition with regard to protein toxins and their roles in the chemical-ecological relationship and human health, we performed a bottom-up proteomics analysis of the crude venom of the giant ant D. quadriceps, popularly known as the "false" tocandiras. For this purpose, we used two different analytical approaches: (i) gel-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom was resolved by denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all protein bands were excised for analysis; (ii) solution-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom protein components were directly fragmented into tryptic peptides in solution for analysis. The proteomic data that resulted from these two methodologies were compared against a previously annotated transcriptomic database of D. quadriceps, and subsequently, a homology search was performed for all identified transcript products. The gel-based proteomics approach unequivocally identified nine toxins of high molecular mass in the venom, as for example, enzymes [hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1, dipeptidyl peptidase and glucose dehydrogenase/flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) quinone] and diverse venom allergens (homologous of the red fire ant Selenopsis invicta) and venom-related proteins (major royal jelly-like). Moreover, the solution-based proteomics revealed and confirmed the presence of several hydrolases, oxidoreductases, proteases, Kunitz-like polypeptides, and the less abundant inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK)-like (knottin) neurotoxins and insect defensin. Our results showed that the major components of the D. quadriceps venom are toxins that are highly likely to damage cell membranes and tissue, to cause neurotoxicity, and to induce allergic reactions, thus, expanding the knowledge about D. quadriceps venom composition and its potential biological effects on prey and victims.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratorio of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60165-081, Brazil.
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