Abstract
BackgroundAnt venom shows antimicrobial, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory activities, both in vitro and in vivo. Our recent studies have confirmed the role of samsum ant venom (SAV) as a powerful antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate whether SAV as a potential treatment for CCl4-induced acute liver toxicity in an animal (rat) model.MethodsThirty-two rats were assigned into four groups; the first one served as the control. The second group received a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCl4 in a 1:1 ratio with olive oil through an intraperitoneal injection. The third group received a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCl4 and then treated with SAV at a dose of 100 μg SAV twice a week for three weeks. The fourth group received a dose of 100 μg SAV only twice a week for three weeks. ELISA, RT-PCR and histopathological examinations were applied.ResultsResults showed that antioxidant enzymes were significantly reduced in the diseased animals. SAV was found to significantly restore the oxidative stability in diseased animals. ELISA estimation and RT-PCR analysis also showed significant upregulation of both nuclear factor (κB) NF-κB and inhibitor (κB) IκB, respectively, in the diseased animals compared to the normal ones. The expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and pro-apoptotic receptor (Fas) were also significantly up-regulated in the diseased rats. Interestingly, SAV was found to significantly restore NF-κB, IκB and TNF-α in the diseased rats to the normal values. As a result, liver enzymes, serum proteins and lipid concentrations were significantly improved by SAV in CCl4-animals in comparison with the control ones. Moreover, SAV obviously improved the hepatic tissues of the same group was.ConclusionSAV treatment restores the normal biochemical and oxidative stability by improving the TNF-α/NF-κB mediated inflammation in CCL4-treated rats.
Highlights
Ant venom shows antimicrobial, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory activities, both in vitro and in vivo
This study provides insights into the pharmacological applications of samsum ant venom (SAV) by estimating the inducible transcription nuclear factor-κB and inhibitor (κB) (NF-κB) which is a central regulator of inflammatory and immune responses
The inhibitor of κB (IκB) is a well-defined regulator of NF-κB that resides in the cytoplasm and prevents NF-κB from nuclear entry by sequestration
Summary
Anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory activities, both in vitro and in vivo. Our recent studies have confirmed the role of samsum ant venom (SAV) as a powerful antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate whether SAV as a potential treatment for CCl4-induced acute liver toxicity in an animal (rat) model. Venoms are a promising source for the discovery of active molecules as they offer potential biologically active properties [1], that may be useful as new tools for the design of drugs [2]. Venoms exhibit a potential activities including antimicrobial, haemolytic, cytolytic, paralytic and insecticidal. Ant venom-toxic reactions are caused by substances, including acids and alkaloids [4]. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a well-known chemical compound causing hepatic injury [7].
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