Occurrence of histamine and histamine release by centipede venom
Gomes, A.; Datta, A.; Sarangi, B.; Kar, P.K.; Lahiri, S.C.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 76: 888-891
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 7169245 Document Number: 192705
Centipede [Scolopendra subspinipes] sting is followed by severe pain and other clinical manifestations. Attempts were made to determine whether there was any histamine in the venom, which would contribute to pain. Venom was subjected to TLC which yielded a spot identical with histamine. Eluate from the area corresponding to this spot contracted guinea pig ileum and lowered guinea pig blood pressure and these actions were blocked by histamine antagonist (mepyramine). The presence of histamine, a potent pain-producing autacoid in the venom of the centipede S. subspinipes was indicated. Histamine was also released in vitro by the crude venom. Histamine present in the venom and histamine released by the constituents of the venom evidently contribute to the pain production due to centipede sting.