Effect of Apis mellifera toxin in the nervous system of healthy adult male rats treated with hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The study was designed to demonstrate the effects of honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom on the nervous system of normal and hydrogen peroxide treated male rats. Twenty four male rats were randomly divided to 4 groups, with 6 animals for each group: group 1 (control), group 2 (treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide with drinking water), group 3 (exposed to bee venom by normal stings according to 155 sting program) and group 4 (treated with hydrogen peroxide and exposed to stings). The groups treated for 49 days included 4 stinging periods, central nervous system and autonomic nervous system activities were monitored at the end of each period. The animals were sacrificed at the end of experiment period, Gross and histopathological examinations of the brain were performed. The result of the tests (moving oncet, open field, negative geotaxis) showed a significant decrease of central nervous system activities at the 3 treated groups from control with the progression of the experiment, lower levels were recorded at group 4. At the same time there were no expressional significant deferences appeared at sensomobilary stimulatory response tests including (approach, touch, sound, tail pinching) tests reflecting activity of autonomic nervous system. The histopathological examination of brain revealed pathological changes at treated groups represented by vaculation of brain nervous cells, infiltration of microgelial cells, congestion of capillaries with lymphocytic infilteration, demylination in neuronal axons. These changes were more sever at group 4 with presence of different stages of apoptosis in some neurons at group 4. Conclusion: bee venom cannot reduce the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide on nervous system beside that bee venom it self was harmful on the nervous system of adult male rats at the density of stings used in this study.