Title: | Pharmacological properties of the repellent secretion of Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Prygomorphidae) |
Address: | "Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0034-7744 (Print) 0034-7744 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "The odours of the whole body and the secretion of Zonocerus variegatus were easily recognised and perceived by human volunteers. However, the secretion odour is not related to the odour of the food plant consumed by the grasshopper. The repellency of Z. variegatus becomes more pronounced in the 6th. and adult instars whose gland lumens contain an appreciable volume of secretion. The secretion odour is so strong that even dilution does not affect its repulsiveness to humans. The secretion had pharmacological properties: it induced contraction in rat (Rattus rattus) stomach smooth muscle preparations and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) ileum, and induced oedema formation in the rat hind paw. The secretion was not lethal to the animals used in this study, effects were temporary and recovery occurs after a short time" |
Keywords: | "Animals Edema/chemically induced Guinea Pigs Hindlimb/drug effects Humans Ileum Mice Movement/drug effects Muscle Contraction/*drug effects Muscle, Smooth/*drug effects *Odorants *Orthoptera Pheromones/*pharmacology/toxicity Rats Rats, Sprague-Dawley Rats;" |
Notes: | "MedlineIdowu, A B Idowu, O A eng Costa Rica 2000/10/06 Rev Biol Trop. 1999 Dec; 47(4):1015-20" |