RESUMO
Abstract The aim of the present study was to analyze the mechanisms of ibogaine action by measuring its ex vivo effects on antioxidant defense in the honey bee (Apis mellifera, L.) midgut. The transcriptional levels of selected genes: Cu/Zn dependent and Mn dependent superoxide dismutases (Sod1 and Sod2, respectively), catalase (Cat) and transcription factor Nrf2 (Nrf2) were determined. The applicability of midgut tissue, which expected to have well developed antioxidant protection system, for this type of analysis was confirmed by testing cell viability and response to paraquat, an effective inducer of oxidative stress, ex vivo. Incubation for 2 h with paraquat (10 µg/mL) induced a significant increase in expression of Sod1 and Cat genes. The results of ibogaine treatment showed that exposure to 5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL of ibogaine for 2 h induced significant increase in expression of Sod1 gene. On the other hand, ibogaine did not lead to a significant increase of Sod2, Cat and transcription factor Nrf2 genes expression in honey bee midgut ex vivo. Our results confirmed positive effect of ibogaine on the antioxidant protective system and its pro-antioxidant action.