Evaluation of effects of photooxidized Vespa orientalis venom on memory and learning in rats

Mukund H (1), Gawade SP (2)

(1) Department of Pharmacology, PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India; (2) SVERI’s College of Pharmacy, Sholapur, Maharashtra, India.

Abstract: Wasp venom is mixture of complex proteins that have several physical and pharmacological properties. The photochemical detoxification of Vespa orientalis venom is expected to generate photooxidized venom sac extract (PVSE). Antigenically active PVSE is obtained by exposing the venom sac extract (VSE) of Vespa orientalis to ultraviolet radiation in the presence of methylene blue. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of PVSE on learning and memory of rats. Detoxification of PVSE was evident since treated mice had longer survival time than the group of mice treated with VSE. Photooxidized VSE of V. orientalis revealed enhancement on learning and memory by shortening the time to reach food (TRF) in T-maze. In a 28-day study with rats, we observed that PVSE significantly decreased transfer latency (TL) in elevated plus maze (EPM), significantly increased step down latency (SDL), diminished step down errors (SDE) and time spent in shock zone (TSS) in step down avoidance test. Thus, we concluded that although there is a possibility of employing PVSE in the treatment of Alzheimer, dementia or neurodegenerative illness as a non-herbal and non-synthetic alternative for patients who do not respond to available therapy, further investigation is still required.

Key words: Vespa venom, photochemical processes, learning, memory, maze learning.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The present work is part of a PhD study under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka. The authors are thankful to the principal and management of Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy and PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore for the necessary support.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: March 23, 2011.

Accepted: August 16, 2011.

Abstract published online: August 17, 2011.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

This work was supported by a partial grant from ICMR, New Delhi, India.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) of Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India (AACP/P-14). Moreover, all procedures were conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Government of India.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Mukund Handral, Department of Pharmacology, PES College of Pharmacy, Hanumanthanagar, 50 feet road, Bangalore, 560050, India. Phone: +91 8026600741. Fax: +91 8026506928. Email: mukund_handral@yahoo.com.