STUDY OF ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES PRESENT IN THE Crotalus durissus collilineatus WHOLE VENOMS WITH AND WITHOUT CROTAMINE

MOREIRA, K.G.(1), AMORA, D.N.(2), ROCHA, M.G.(2), SILVA, R.M.(2), CAMARÃO, G.C.(2), SILVA, N.J.(3), CARDI, B.A.(1), NOGUEIRA, R.M.D.(2), CARVALHO, K.M.(1)

(1)Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia da Universidade Estadual do Ceará, (2)Universidade Federal do Ceará, (3)Universidade Católica de Goiás).

Background: Experimental evidences of the antinociceptive activity of Crotalus durissust errificus whole venom have been studied and strongly attributed to the action of crotamine. However, clinical evidences show that antinociceptive activity is also present in Crotalus durissus terrificus whole venom without crotamine. The aim of this study was to compare the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities present in the Crotalus durissus collilineatus whole venoms with and without crotamine.

Methods and Results: Free crotamine-C. d. collilineatus venom (CdcN) and crotamine positive C. d. collilineatus venom (CdcP) were used at doses of 40 and 80mg/Kg, i.p. on Swiss mice (20-25g, male). Acetic acid-induced writhing test (0,6%, 0,1ml/10g, i.p.) showed a significantly decreased stretching after both CdcN dose injection (p<0,001), while CdcP caused these effects just after 80mg/Kg. Using formalin test, we could observe a decreased time of licking the paw injected for both CdcP doses in the two phases (p<0,05). CdcN just showed decreased pattern at 80mg dose on second phase (p<0.05). Carragenin-induced paw edema showed significantly decrease for all Cdc samples (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed on heat plate or Rota-rod tests after Cdc samples injection when compared with controls.

Conclusions: These results show that Cdc venom (N or P) posses similarly peripheral analgesic activity, but CdcP is more effective as anti-inflammatory than CdcN. Taken together, they suggest that crotamine is not the only responsible for these activities, opening perspectives for the existence of other unknown substances involved.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

KarlaGraziella Moreira, Rua Almeida Prado, 610 Apto. 701, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60176-080, Brasil, Email: moreirakg@yahoo.com.br