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Yao X, Kang J, Li Y, Zhang H, Zhang H, Chen E. Melittin protects against neural cell damage in rats following ischemic stroke. Neuropeptides 2024; 107:102462. [PMID: 39197274 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study, we explored the neuroprotective effect of melittin (MEL) after brain ischemia using a rat model. METHODS The rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min and were randomly divided into the control group, saline group, and MEL group. Rats in each group were injected intraperitoneally with MEL one day before MCAO until sacrificed. Morris water maze and rotation test were used to assess locomotor function and cognitive ability. The 9.4 Tesla MRI was used to scan and assess the infarct volume of the rat brains. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the sites of action of MEL on microglia. Western blot and ELISA were used to measure the effect of MEL on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The effect of MEL on neuronal cell apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with the saline group, MEL treatment significantly increased the density of neurons in the cerebral cortical and reduced the cerebral infarct size after MCAO (33.9 ± 8.8% vs. 15.8 ± 3.9%, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the time for MEL-treated rats to complete the water maze task on the 11th day after MCAO was significantly shorter than that of rats in the saline group (P < 0.05). MEL treatment also prolonged the rotarod retention time on day 14 after MCAO. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that MEL inhibited the activation of microglia and suppressed the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the brain after ischemia. MEL treatment resulted in a significant decrease in TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 levels in extracts from the ischemic cerebral cortex. Finally, MEL reduced neuronal apoptosis induced by ischemic stroke (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION MEL treatment promotes neurological function recovery after cerebral ischemia in rats. These effects are potentially mediated through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R&D, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Junlong Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xia Men, China
| | - Yufei Li
- The High School Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xia Men, China.
| | - E Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xia Men, China.
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Sadek KM, Shib NA, Taher ES, Rashed F, Shukry M, Atia GA, Taymour N, El-Nablaway M, Ibrahim AM, Ramadan MM, Abdelkader A, Abdo M, Imbrea I, Pet E, Ali LS, Abdeen A. Harnessing the power of bee venom for therapeutic and regenerative medical applications: an updated review. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1412245. [PMID: 39092234 PMCID: PMC11291246 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1412245] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Honeybees have been helpful insects since ancient centuries, and this benefit is not limited to being a honey producer only. After the bee stings a person, pain, and swelling occur in this place, due to the effects of bee venom (BV). This is not a poison in the total sense of the word because it has many benefits, and this is due to its composition being rich in proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other types of molecules in low concentrations that show promise in the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions. BV has also demonstrated positive effects against various cancers, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing versus the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even though topical BV therapy is used to varying degrees among countries, localized swelling or itching are common side effects that may occur in some patients. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the complex chemical composition of BV, highlighting the diverse range of bioactive compounds and their therapeutic applications, which extend beyond the well-known anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, showcasing the versatility of BV in modern medicine. A specific search strategy was followed across various databases; Web of sciences, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar including in vitro and in vivo clinical studies.to outline an overview of BV composition, methods to use, preparation requirements, and Individual consumption contraindications. Furthermore, this review addresses safety concerns and emerging approaches, such as the use of nanoparticles, to mitigate adverse effects, demonstrating a balanced and holistic perspective. Importantly, the review also incorporates historical context and traditional uses, as well as a unique focus on veterinary applications, setting it apart from previous works and providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadry M. Sadek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Naira A. Shib
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Ehab S. Taher
- Department of Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Fatema Rashed
- Department of Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Mustafa Shukry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Gamal A. Atia
- Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Noha Taymour
- Department of Substitutive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad El-Nablaway
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ateya M. Ibrahim
- Department of Administration and Nursing Education, College of Nursing, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M. Ramadan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Afaf Abdelkader
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdo
- Department of Animal Histology and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Egypt
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Ilinca Imbrea
- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technologies, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Elena Pet
- Department of Management and Rural Development, Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lashin S. Ali
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ahmed Abdeen
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, Egypt
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Vahidinia Z, Barati S, Azami Tameh A, Bagheri-Mohammadi S, Garshasebi A. Bee venom as a promising therapeutic strategy in central nervous system diseases. Neuropeptides 2024; 107:102451. [PMID: 38936137 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders are one of the leading health problems today, accounting for a large proportion of global morbidity and mortality. Most these disorders are characterized by high levels of oxidative stress and intense inflammatory responses in degenerated neuronal tissues. While extensive research has been conducted on CNS diseases, but few breakthroughs have been made in treatment methods. To date, there are no disease-modifying drugs available for CNS treatment, underscoring the urgent need for finding effective medications. Bee venom (BV), which is produced by honeybee workers' stingers, has been a subject of interest and study across various cultures. Over the past few decades, extensive research has focused on BV and its therapeutic potentials. BV consists a variety of substances, mainly proteins and peptides like melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Research has proven that BV is effective in various medical conditions, including pain, arthritis and inflammation and CNS disorders such as Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge concerning the therapeutic effects of BV and its primary compounds on various CNS diseases. Additionally, we aim to shed light on the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Vahidinia
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Shirin Barati
- Department of Anatomy, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Azami Tameh
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Saeid Bagheri-Mohammadi
- Department of Paramedicine, Amol School of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.; Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ali Garshasebi
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Karimi G, Fatemi S, Memar B, Khorrami MB, Amali A, Sadeghi M, Esmaeili SA, Riahi-Zanjani B. Melittin as a safe compound to BALB/c mice immune system; a tiered approach immunotoxicity screening. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:377. [PMID: 37880739 PMCID: PMC10598946 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04228-w] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintenance of immune system integrity is a vital requirement to protect human body against pathogens/cancers. Natural compounds have long been used due to their benefits for the immune system. One of which is bee venom that contains a peptide called melittin having antimicrobial and anticancer effects. Since a limited number of studies regarding the effects of melittin on the immune system have been carried out, we aimed to evaluate the effects of melittin on BALB/c mice immune system parameters. METHODS Female BALB /c mice were treated intraperitoneally (i.p) with 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg doses of melittin for 14 days (5 doses per week). The negative control group received i.p normal saline whereas the positive controls received i.p 20 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CYP). Immunological parameters such as hematological parameters, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), hemagglutination titer (HA), spleen cellularity, splenocytes proliferation, as well as spleen and bone marrow histopathological assessment were evaluated. RESULTS Our findings showed that melittin has no gross pathological effect on the spleen and bone marrow. It was also demonstrated that melittin has no any significant effect on hematological parameters. Melittin did not cause any significant changes to proliferation response of splenocytes to PHA and LPS, spleen cellularity, DTH response, as well as the production of anti-SRBC antibodies. According to our results, melittin at 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg doses could not induce significant changes on immune parameters and as a result, melittin was found to be safe for the mice immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholamreza Karimi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Fatemi
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bahram Memar
- Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Arian Amali
- Student Research Committee, Paramedical Department, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmood Sadeghi
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Seyed-Alireza Esmaeili
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bamdad Riahi-Zanjani
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Er-Rouassi H, Bakour M, Touzani S, Vilas-Boas M, Falcão S, Vidal C, Lyoussi B. Beneficial Effect of Bee Venom and Its Major Components on Facial Nerve Injury Induced in Mice. Biomolecules 2023; 13:680. [PMID: 37189427 PMCID: PMC10135545 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040680] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a health problem that affects many people worldwide. This study is the first to evaluate the potential effect of bee venom (BV) and its major components in a model of PNI in the mouse. For that, the BV used in this study was analyzed using UHPLC. All animals underwent a distal section-suture of facial nerve branches, and they were randomly divided into five groups. Group 1: injured facial nerve branches without any treatment. Group 2: the facial nerve branches were injured, and the normal saline was injected similarly as in the BV-treated group. Group 3: injured facial nerve branches with local injections of BV solution. Group 4: injured facial nerve branches with local injections of a mixture of PLA2 and melittin. Group 5: injured facial nerve branches with local injection of betamethasone. The treatment was performed three times a week for 4 weeks. The animals were submitted to functional analysis (observation of whisker movement and quantification of nasal deviation). The vibrissae muscle re-innervation was evaluated by retrograde labeling of facial motoneurons in all experimental groups. UHPLC data showed 76.90 ± 0.13%, 11.73 ± 0.13%, and 2.01 ± 0.01%, respectively, for melittin, phospholipase A2, and apamin in the studied BV sample. The obtained results showed that BV treatment was more potent than the mixture of PLA2 and melittin or betamethasone in behavioral recovery. The whisker movement occurred faster in BV-treated mice than in the other groups, with a complete disappearance of nasal deviation two weeks after surgery. Morphologically, a normal fluorogold labeling of the facial motoneurons was restored 4 weeks after surgery in the BV-treated group, but no such restoration was ever observed in other groups. Our findings indicate the potential of the use of BV injections to enhance appropriate functional and neuronal outcomes after PNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafsa Er-Rouassi
- Centre Borelli, Université de Paris Cité, National Centre for Scientific Research UMR 9010, 75006 Paris, France
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
| | - Meryem Bakour
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
- The Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez 30000, Morocco
| | - Soumaya Touzani
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
| | - Miguel Vilas-Boas
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Soraia Falcão
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Catherine Vidal
- Centre Borelli, Université de Paris Cité, National Centre for Scientific Research UMR 9010, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Badiaa Lyoussi
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
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Ullah A, Aldakheel FM, Anjum SI, Raza G, Khan SA, Tlak Gajger I. Pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of honey bee venom. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:96-109. [PMID: 36685303 PMCID: PMC9845117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bee venom (BV) is a valuable product, and has a wide range of biological effects, and its use is rapidly increasing in apitherapy. Therefore, the current study, we reviewed the existing knowledge about BV composition and its numerous pharmacological properties for future research and use. Honey bee venom or apitoxin is produced in the venom gland in the honey bee abdomen. Adult bees use it as a primary colony defense mechanism. It is composed of many biologically active substances including peptides, enzymes, amines, amino acids, phospholipids, minerals, carbohydrates as well as some volatile components. Melittin and phospholipase A2 are the most important components of BV, having anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis, anti-nociceptive and other curative potentials. Therefore, in medicine, BV has been used for centuries against different diseases like arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, and various inflammatory infections. Nowadays, BV or its components separately, are used for the treatment of various diseases in different countries as a natural medicine with limited side effects. Consequently, scientists as well as several pharmaceutical companies are trying to get a new understanding about BV, its substances and its activity for more effective use of this natural remedy in modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Fahad Mohammed Aldakheel
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia,Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz Research Chair for Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Ishtiaq Anjum
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan,Corresponding author.
| | - Ghulam Raza
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan, Skardu, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Ahmad Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ivana Tlak Gajger
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Soares-Silva B, Beserra-Filho JIA, Morera PMA, Custódio-Silva AC, Maria-Macêdo A, Silva-Martins S, Alexandre-Silva V, Silva SP, Silva RH, Ribeiro AM. The bee venom active compound melittin protects against bicuculline-induced seizures and hippocampal astrocyte activation in rats. Neuropeptides 2022; 91:102209. [PMID: 34808488 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic neuropathology characterized by an abnormal hyperactivity of neurons that generate recurrent, spontaneous, paradoxical and synchronized nerve impulses, leading or not to seizures. This neurological disorder affects around 70 million individuals worldwide. Pharmacoresistance is observed in about 30% of the patients and long-term use of antiepileptics may induce serious side effects. Thus, there is an interest in the study of the therapeutic potential of bioactive substances isolated from natural products in the treatment of epilepsy. Arthropod venoms contain neurotoxins that have high affinity for molecular structures in the neural tissue such as receptors, transporters and ion channels both in glial and neuronal membranes. This study evaluated the potential neuroprotective effect of melittin (MEL), an active compound of bee venom, in the bicuculline-induced seizure model (BIC) in rats. Male Wistar rats (3 months, 250-300 g) were submitted to surgery for the implantation of a unilateral cannula in the lateral ventricle. After the recovery period, rats received a microinjection of saline solution or MEL (0.1 mg per animal). Firstly, rats were evaluated in the open field (20 min) and in the elevated plus maze (5 min) tests after received microinjection of saline or MEL. After, 30 min later animals received BIC (100 mg/ml) or saline, and their behaviors were analyzed for 20 min in the open field according to a seizure scale. At the end, rats were euthanized, brains collected and processed to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry evaluation. No changes were observed in MEL-treated rats in the open field and elevated plus maze. However, 90% of MEL-treated animals were protected against seizures induced by BIC. There was an increase in the latency for the onset of seizures, accompanied by a reduction of GFAP-immunoreactivity cells in the dentate gyrus and CA1. Thus, our study suggests that MEL has an anticonvulsant potential, and further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Ivo Araújo Beserra-Filho
- Departament of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Amanda Maria-Macêdo
- Departament of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sara Pereira Silva
- Departament of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Regina Helena Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Melittin administration ameliorates motor function, prevents apoptotic cell death and protects Purkinje neurons in the rat model of cerebellar ataxia induced by 3-Acetylpyridine. Toxicon 2021; 205:57-66. [PMID: 34793821 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a condition in which cerebellar dysfunction leads to movement disorders such as dysmetria, asynergy and dysdiadochokinesia. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of Melittin (MEL) on 3-acetylpyridine-induced (3-AP) cerebellar ataxia (CA) rat model. Initially, CA rat models were generated by 3-AP administration followed by the intraperitoneal injection of MEL. Then, motor performance and electromyography (EMG) activity were assessed. Afterwards, the pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in the cerebellar tissue. Moreover, the anti-apoptotic role of MEL in CA and its relationship with the protection of Purkinje cells were explored. The findings showed that the administration of MEL in a 3-AP model of ataxia improved motor coordination (P < 0.001) and neuro-muscular activity (p < 0.05), prevented the cerebellar volume loss (P < 0.01), reduced the level of inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05) and thwarted the degeneration of Purkinje cells against 3-AP toxicity (P < 0.001). Overall, the findings imply that the MEL attenuates the 3-AP-induced inflammatory response. As such, it could be used as a treatment option for CA due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
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Honeybee products and edible insect powders improve locomotive and learning abilities of Ubiquilin-knockdown Drosophila. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:267. [PMID: 32867756 PMCID: PMC7457359 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03054-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the human Ubiquilin 2 gene are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with or without frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the fatal neurodegenerative disease that progressively affected neuronal cells in both brain and spinal cord. There is currently no effective therapy for these diseases. Over the last decade, researchers have focused on the potential use of natural products especially in neurodegenerative studies. Insect products have been used as traditional medicines, however, scientific information is still lacking. Fruit fly is recently used as a model organism to investigate degenerative diseases related to the nervous system because it has a short life span and produces a large number of offspring. METHODS The present study investigated the effects of honeybee products and edible insect powders on the locomotive and learning abilities, neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) structure, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in larval brains of Ubiquilin- knockdown Drosophila. RESULTS dUbqn knockdown flies showed defects in locomotive and learning abilities accompanied with structural defects in NMJs. The results obtained revealed that the recovery of locomotive defects was significantly greater in dUbqn knockdown flies fed with coffee honey from Apis cerana (1% v/v) or Apis dorsata melittin (0.5 μg/ml) or wasp powder (2 mg/ml) than that of in untreated dUbqn knockdown flies. Furthermore, dUbqn knockdown flies fed with coffee honey showed the partial rescue of structural defects in NMJs, improved learning ability, and reduced the accumulation of ROS caused by dUbqn depletion in the brain over the untreated group. CONCLUSION These results suggest that coffee honey from Apis cerana contains a neuroprotective agent that will contribute to the development of a novel treatment for ALS/FTD.
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Mayandi V, Xi Q, Leng G, Koh SK, Jie T, Barathi VA, Urf Turabe Fazil MH, Somaraju Chalasani ML, Varadarajan J, Ting DSJ, Beuerman RW, Chan LW, Agrawal R, Sebastian B, Zhou L, Verma NK, Lakshminarayanan R. Rational Substitution of ε-Lysine for α-Lysine Enhances the Cell and Membrane Selectivity of Pore-Forming Melittin. J Med Chem 2020; 63:3522-3537. [PMID: 32175733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Here, we present a rational approach that enhances the membrane selectivity of a prolific pore-forming peptide, melittin, based on experimental observations that the cationic polymer, ε-polylysine, disrupts bacterial membranes with greater affinity over mammalian cells when compared to poly-l-lysine and poly-d-lysine. We systematically replaced three α-lysine residues in melittin with ε-lysine residues and identified key residues that are important for cytotoxicity. We then assessed the antimicrobial properties of the modified peptides which carry two or three ε-lysyl residues. Two modified melittin peptides displayed rapid bactericidal properties against antibiotic-resistant strains, low innate resistance development by pathogenic bacteria, remained nonimmunogenic for T lymphocytes, and increased bioavailability in tear fluids. In proof-of-concept in vivo experiments, one of the peptides was noncytotoxic for ocular surfaces and had comparable antimicrobial efficacy to that of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The results uncover a simple and potential strategy that can enhance the membrane selectivity of cytolytic peptides by ε-lysylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Mayandi
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore
| | - Qingxiao Xi
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore
| | - Goh Leng
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore
| | - Siew Kwan Koh
- Ocular Proteomics Laboratory, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore
| | - Toh Jie
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore
| | - Veluchamy Amutha Barathi
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 169857, Singapore
| | - Mobashar Hussain Urf Turabe Fazil
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Clinical Sciences Building, 308232, Singapore
| | - Madhavi Latha Somaraju Chalasani
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Clinical Sciences Building, 308232, Singapore
| | - Jayasudha Varadarajan
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore
| | - Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,Academic Ophthalmology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Roger W Beuerman
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 169857, Singapore
| | - Lai Wah Chan
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive, 117543, Singapore
| | - Rupesh Agrawal
- National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 308433, Singapore
| | - Barkham Sebastian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308433, Singapore
| | - Lei Zhou
- Ocular Proteomics Laboratory, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 169857, Singapore
| | - Navin Kumar Verma
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Clinical Sciences Building, 308232, Singapore.,Skin Research Institute of Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Clinical Sciences Building, 308232, Singapore
| | - Rajamani Lakshminarayanan
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, 169856, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive, 117543, Singapore
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11
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Cai M, Yang EJ. Complementary and alternative medicine for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A narrative review. Integr Med Res 2019; 8:234-239. [PMID: 31692669 PMCID: PMC6806396 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by selective motor neuron cell death in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Two drugs for ALS, riluzole and edaravone, have been approved by FDA for the treatment of ALS patients. However, they have many side effects, and riluzole extends the patient's life by only 2-3 months. Therefore, ALS patients seek an effective therapy for treating the symptoms or delaying the progression of ALS. Based on this, we review the effects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in ALS animals or patients to verify the efficacy of CAM in incurable diseases. For this review, we searched published papers focusing on the effect of CAM in pre-clinical and clinical study in ALS. Methods The search keywords included amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, acupuncture, herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine, CAM, animals, and clinical study through electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar from their inception until March 2019. Results In the ALS animal model, CAM modulated the immune system to increase motor function by reducing the expression levels of neuroinflammatory proteins in the spinal cord. Besides this, ALS patients treated with herbal medicine showed improved disease symptoms, but clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to develop a treatment with this herbal medicine. Conclusion This review shows that CAM may be useful for ALS treatment, but more evidence regarding the efficacy and molecular mechanisms is required to establish CAM as a good therapy for the treatment of ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudan Cai
- Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, South Korea
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
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12
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de Souza JM, Goncalves BDC, Gomez MV, Vieira LB, Ribeiro FM. Animal Toxins as Therapeutic Tools to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2018. [PMID: 29527170 PMCID: PMC5829052 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of individuals worldwide. So far, no disease-modifying drug is available to treat patients, making the search for effective drugs an urgent need. Neurodegeneration is triggered by the activation of several cellular processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, neuroinflammation, aging, aggregate formation, glutamatergic excitotoxicity, and apoptosis. Therefore, many research groups aim to identify drugs that may inhibit one or more of these events leading to neuronal cell death. Venoms are fruitful natural sources of new molecules, which have been relentlessly enhanced by evolution through natural selection. Several studies indicate that venom components can exhibit selectivity and affinity for a wide variety of targets in mammalian systems. For instance, an expressive number of natural peptides identified in venoms from animals, such as snakes, scorpions, bees, and spiders, were shown to lessen inflammation, regulate glutamate release, modify neurotransmitter levels, block ion channel activation, decrease the number of protein aggregates, and increase the levels of neuroprotective factors. Thus, these venom components hold potential as therapeutic tools to slow or even halt neurodegeneration. However, there are many technological issues to overcome, as venom peptides are hard to obtain and characterize and the amount obtained from natural sources is insufficient to perform all the necessary experiments and tests. Fortunately, technological improvements regarding heterologous protein expression, as well as peptide chemical synthesis will help to provide enough quantities and allow chemical and pharmacological enhancements of these natural occurring compounds. Thus, the main focus of this review is to highlight the most promising studies evaluating animal toxins as therapeutic tools to treat a wide variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, brain ischemia, glaucoma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Bruno D C Goncalves
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcus V Gomez
- Department of Neurotransmitters, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciene B Vieira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabiola M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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13
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Lu H, Le WD, Xie YY, Wang XP. Current Therapy of Drugs in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 14:314-21. [PMID: 26786249 PMCID: PMC4876587 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160120152423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly termed as motor neuron disease (MND) in UK, is a chronically lethal disorder among the neurodegenerative diseases, meanwhile. ALS is basically irreversible and progressive deterioration of upper and lower motor neurons in the motor cortex, brain stem and medulla spinalis. Riluzole, used for the treatment of ALS, was demonstrated to slightly delay the initiation of respiratory dysfunction and extend the median survival of patients by a few months. In this study, the key biochemical defects were discussed, such as: mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, mitochondrial protectants, and anti-excitotoxic/ anti-oxidative / anti-inflammatory/ anti-apoptotic agents, so the related drug candidates that have been studied in ALS models would possibly be further used in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiao-Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai First People's Hospital , Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, China, 200080.
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14
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Pak SC. An Introduction to the Toxins Special Issue on "Bee and Wasp Venoms: Biological Characteristics and Therapeutic Application". Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8110315. [PMID: 27801836 PMCID: PMC5127112 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8110315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sok Cheon Pak
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia.
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15
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Melittin ameliorates CVB3-induced myocarditis via activation of the HDAC2-mediated GSK-3β/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 480:126-131. [PMID: 27693786 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.09.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Viral myocarditis (VMC) is characterized as an inflammatory process of the myocardium and can be fatal in infants and children. Melittin is a major polypeptide in honey bee venom that has been traditionally used against inflammation. However, its effect on VMC and the underlying molecular mechanism has not been reported. In this study, BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with CVB3 to build a VMC model and treated with melittin. The results showed that melittin increased the mice's body weight and inhibited CVB3 replication. HE staining also showed that melittin alleviated myocardial injury in the VMC model. Flow cytometry showed that melittin inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis; in addition, real-time PCR showed that melittin decreased the expression of bax and caspase-3, and increased the expression of bcl-2. The results of echocardiographic examination showed that melittin improved cardiac function. Moreover, melittin decreased the activity of AST, CK, HBDH and LDH, and decreased the production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1 in CVB3-induced myocardial tissues. Finally, we also found that melittin increased the expression of HDAC2 and activated the GSK-3β/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, whereas these changes were reversed by inhibition of HDAC2 in VMC model mice. In conclusion, our results suggested that melittin ameliorates CVB3-induced myocarditis via activation of the HDAC2-mediated GSK-3β/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.
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16
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Lee G, Bae H. Anti-Inflammatory Applications of Melittin, a Major Component of Bee Venom: Detailed Mechanism of Action and Adverse Effects. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21050616. [PMID: 27187328 PMCID: PMC6273919 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a pervasive phenomenon triggered by the innate and adaptive immune systems to maintain homeostasis. The phenomenon normally leads to recovery from infection and healing, but when not properly phased, inflammation may cause immune disorders. Bee venom is a toxin that bees use for their protection from enemies. However, for centuries it has been used in the Orient as an anti-inflammatory medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Bee venom and its major component, melittin, are potential means of reducing excessive immune responses and provide new alternatives for the control of inflammatory diseases. Recent experimental studies show that the biological functions of melittin could be applied for therapeutic use in vitro and in vivo. Reports verifying the therapeutic effects of melittin are accumulating in the literature, but the cellular mechanism(s) of the anti-inflammatory effects of melittin are not fully elucidated. In the present study, we review the current knowledge on the therapeutic effects of melittin and its detailed mechanisms of action against several inflammatory diseases including skin inflammation, neuroinflammation, atherosclerosis, arthritis and liver inflammation, its adverse effects as well as future prospects regarding the use of melittin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihyun Lee
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoeki-Dong, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoeki-Dong, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
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17
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Yeo JH, Yoon SY, Kwon SK, Kim SJ, Lee JH, Beitz AJ, Roh DH. Repetitive Acupuncture Point Treatment with Diluted Bee Venom Relieves Mechanical Allodynia and Restores Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Loss in Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathic Mice. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2015; 17:298-309. [PMID: 26604098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The chemotherapeutic agent, oxaliplatin, produces a robust painful neuropathy that results in the loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs). We have previously reported that an acupuncture point (acupoint) injection of diluted bee venom (DBV) produces a temporary antiallodynic effect in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic mice. Herein we show a significant long-lasting antinociceptive effect of repetitive DBV acupoint treatment on oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia and a significant reduction in the loss of IENFs. DBV (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous) was administered once a day for 18 days beginning on day 15 after oxaliplatin injection. Immunohistochemistry for IENF was performed on the glabrous skin of the hind paw footpad using the pan-neuronal marker, protein gene product 9.5. A temporary increase in mechanical threshold was observed 60 minutes after a single DBV injection into the Zusanli acupoint, and this effect was enhanced over time with repetitive DBV treatments. The basal mechanical threshold before daily DBV injection also increased from day 7 after DBV injections, and peaked at day 14 after DBV treatment. Moreover, the oxaliplatin-induced loss of IENFs was significantly reduced in mice treated repetitively with DBV. Repetitive pretreatment with the α-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, (5 mg/kg, subcutaneous) completely prevented the antiallodynic effects and the increase in IENFs observed in mice treated repetitively with DBV. PERSPECTIVE We showed that repetitive acupoint stimulation with DBV gradually and significantly reduced oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia and restored the loss of IENFs in neuropathic mice via an α-2 adrenoceptor mechanism. Collectively, results of this study suggest that repetitive acupoint treatment with DBV can be a potential strategy for the management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hee Yeo
- Department of Oral Physiology and Research Center for Tooth and Periodontal Tissue Regeneration, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Yeon Yoon
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences College of Natural Sciences, Dental Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Keun Kwon
- Department of Oral Physiology and Research Center for Tooth and Periodontal Tissue Regeneration, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sol-Ji Kim
- Department of Oral Physiology and Research Center for Tooth and Periodontal Tissue Regeneration, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jang-Hern Lee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Alvin J Beitz
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota
| | - Dae-Hyun Roh
- Department of Oral Physiology and Research Center for Tooth and Periodontal Tissue Regeneration, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Lee SH, Choi SM, Yang EJ. Bee Venom Acupuncture Augments Anti-Inflammation in the Peripheral Organs of hSOD1G93A Transgenic Mice. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:2835-44. [PMID: 26230709 PMCID: PMC4549727 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7082835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) includes progressively degenerated motor neurons in the brainstem, motor cortex, and spinal cord. Recent reports demonstrate the dysfunction of multiple organs, including the lungs, spleen, and liver, in ALS animals and patients. Bee venom acupuncture (BVA) has been used for treating inflammatory diseases in Oriental Medicine. In a previous study, we demonstrated that BV prevented motor neuron death and increased anti-inflammation in the spinal cord of symptomatic hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. In this study, we examined whether BVA's effects depend on acupuncture point (ST36) in the organs, including the liver, spleen and kidney, of hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. We found that BV treatment at ST36 reduces inflammation in the liver, spleen, and kidney compared with saline-treatment at ST36 and BV injected intraperitoneally in symptomatic hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. Those findings suggest that BV treatment combined with acupuncture stimulation is more effective at reducing inflammation and increasing immune responses compared with only BV treatment, at least in an ALS animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Hwa Lee
- Division of Clinical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, Korea.
| | - Sun-Mi Choi
- Executive Director of R&D, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, Korea.
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Division of Clinical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, Korea.
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19
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Hwang DS, Kim SK, Bae H. Therapeutic Effects of Bee Venom on Immunological and Neurological Diseases. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:2413-21. [PMID: 26131770 PMCID: PMC4516920 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7072413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bee Venom (BV) has long been used in Korea to relieve pain symptoms and to treat inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of BV have been proved to some extent. Additionally, recent clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that BV and BV-derived active components are applicable to a wide range of immunological and neurodegenerative diseases, including autoimmune diseases and Parkinson's disease. These effects of BV are known to be mediated by modulating immune cells in the periphery, and glial cells and neurons in the central nervous system. This review will introduce the scientific evidence of the therapeutic effects of BV and its components on several immunological and neurological diseases, and describe their detailed mechanisms involved in regulating various immune responses and pathological changes in glia and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deok-Sang Hwang
- Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
| | - Sun Kwang Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
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20
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Khalil SR, Abd-Elhakim YM, Selim ME, Al-Ayadhi LY. Apitoxin protects rat pups brain from propionic acid-induced oxidative stress: The expression pattern of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 apoptotic genes. Neurotoxicology 2015; 49:121-31. [PMID: 26048086 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2015.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to determine the potential modulatory role of the apitoxin (bee venom; BV) against propionic acid (PPA)-induced neurotoxicity. The biochemical responses to PPA exposure in rat pups were assayed, including changes in the antioxidant barrier systems and lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation biomarkers in the brain tissue. DNA damage was measured by single-cell gel electrophoresis and differences in Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression were assessed using real-time PCR. Changes in amygdala complex ultrastructure were visually assessed using electron microscopy. Sixty rat pups were assigned into six groups: a control group, a PPA-treated group, a BV-treated group, a protective co-treated group, a therapeutic co-treated group, and a protective/therapeutic co-treated group. The results indicate that PPA induced a pronounced increase (64.6%) in malondialdehyde (MDA), and in DNA damage (73.3%) with three-fold increase in protein carbonyl concentration. A significant reduction was observed in the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (48.7%) and catalase (CAT) (74.8%) and reduced glutathione (GSH) level (52.6%). BV significantly neutralized the PPA-induced oxidative stress effects, especially in the BV protective/therapeutic co-treated group. In this group, GSH levels were restored to 64.5%, and MDA, protein carbonyl levels and tail moment % were diminished by 69.5, 21.1 and 18.8% relative to the control, respectively. Furthermore, while PPA induced significant apoptotic neural cell death, BV markedly inhibited apoptosis by promoting Bcl-2 expression and blocking Caspase-3 expression. BV markedly restored the normal ultrastructural morphology of the amygdala complex neurons. These results conclusively demonstrate that BV administration provides both protective and therapeutic effects in response to the PPA-induced deleterious effects, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, and neuronal death in the brains of rat pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samah R Khalil
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Yasmina M Abd-Elhakim
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Manar E Selim
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Laila Y Al-Ayadhi
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Autism Research and Treatment Centre, AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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