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Many active molecules used in the development of new drugs are produced by ants. Present study assessed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Samsum ant venom (SAV) extract in carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced spleen toxicity. Toxicity and oxidative stress were measured in four experimental groups: a negative control group without any treatment, a positive control group (CCl4-treated rats; a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCL4), an experimental group of CCl4-treated rats co-treated daily with SAV (100 µl), and a group to determine safe use with rats treated only with SAV (100 µl) daily for 3 weeks. CCl4-treatment led to an elevation in toxicity and oxidative stress. CCl4 significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as expression of inhibitor of κB (IκB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) proteins. On the other hand, a decrease in glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels were detected in CCl4-treated rats. Co-treatment with SAV was found to reduce these inflammatory and oxidative parameters. SAV elucidated a significant recovery of MDA concentration as well as a significant restoration in GSH levels compared to CCl4-treated rats; however, SAV increased CAT levels compared to normal rats. Hence, SAV was found to restore splenomegaly induced in CCl4-treated rats. Histopathological analysis also favored the biochemical analysis showing improvement in splenic architecture in CCl4 and SAV co-treated rats. The antioxidant properties of SAV may potentially enhance anti-inflammatory actions and improve spleen structure and function in CCl4-challenged rats.

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BACKGROUND: For many decades, the sting of Samsun ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis) has been a serious clinical challenge for the people living in some of the major Middle East and Asian countries. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa derived plant extract component, thymoquinone (TQ) has been tested against the Samsun ant venom (SAV) at the toxic dose in the rats. METHODS: The adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, SAV treated, SAV + TQ treated and TQ alone treated. It was found that the sub-lethal dose of SAV alters not only many of the kidney and liver function markers but also induces oxidative stress in the animals. Moreover, the SAV also disturbs various immunological parameters including expression of PMNs, CD-80, CD-86, interleukins and other cytokines compromising the affected organism towards mild to severe allergic reactions including life-risking anaphylaxis. RESULTS: The plant extract, TQ, effectively restores many of the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters comparable to the normal concomitant with improving the immunological aspects that might attributive in relieving from SAV-induced toxicity and allergic reactions in the affected organism to a greater extent. CONCLUSION: Hence, TQ has an excellent antidote property against SAV-induced toxicities in vivo. Although the study is a vivid indication of the potential therapeutic potential of TQ against the SAV induced in vivo toxicity, yet the actual mechanism of interaction translating the toxicity amelioration warrants further investigations.

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BACKGROUND: Ant venoms express surface molecules that participate in antigen presentation involving pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This work aims to investigate the expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in rats injected with samsum ant venom (SAV). METHODS: Rats were divided into three groups - control, SAV-treated (intraperitoneal route, 600 µg/kg), and SAV-treated (subcutaneous route, 600 µg/kg). After five doses, animals were euthanized and samples collected for analysis. RESULTS: The subcutaneous SAV-trated rats presented decreased levels of glutathione with increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Intraperitoneal SAV-treated animals displayed significantly reduced concentrations of both IFN-γ and IL-17 in comparison with the control group. However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous SAV-treated rats were able to upregulate the expressions of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on PMNs in comparison with the control respectively. The histological examination showed severe lymphocyte depletion in the splenic white pulp of the intraperitoneal SAV-injected rats. CONCLUSION: Stimulation of PMNs by SAV leads to upregulation of MHC-II, CD 80, and CD 86, which plays critical roles in antigen presentation and consequently proliferation of T-cells. Subcutaneous route was more efficient than intraperitoneal by elevating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 expression, disturbing oxidative stability and increasing lipogram concentration.

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Background:Ant venoms express surface molecules that participate in antigen presentation involving pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This work aims to investigate the expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in rats injected with samsum ant venom (SAV).Methods:Rats were divided into three groups - control, SAV-treated (intraperitoneal route, 600 μg/kg), and SAV-treated (subcutaneous route, 600 μg/kg). After five doses, animals were euthanized and samples collected for analysis.Results:The subcutaneous SAV-trated rats presented decreased levels of glutathione with increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Intraperitoneal SAV-treated animals displayed significantly reduced concentrations of both IFN-γ and IL-17 in comparison with the control group. However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous SAV-treated rats were able to upregulate the expressions of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on PMNs in comparison with the control respectively. The histological examination showed severe lymphocyte depletion in the splenic white pulp of the intraperitoneal SAV-injected rats.Conclusion:Stimulation of PMNs by SAV leads to upregulation of MHC-II, CD 80, and CD 86, which plays critical roles in antigen presentation and consequently proliferation of T-cells. Subcutaneous route was more efficient than intraperitoneal by elevating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 expression, disturbing oxidative stability and increasing lipogram concentration.

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BACKGROUND: Ant 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. METHODS: Thirty-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. RESULTS: Results 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. CONCLUSION: SAV treatment restores the normal biochemical and oxidative stability by improving the TNF-α/NF-κB mediated inflammation in CCL4-treated rats.

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