Fire ant stings cause local inflammation and pain through the action of venom components. In rare cases, they can cause systemic allergic reactions. Current topical treatments are limited because they target only a few inflammatory mediators. The document proposes that phytochemicals extracted from plants may provide a more complete treatment by inhibiting multiple mediators of inflammation. Experimental evidence shows that a phytochemical preparation reduced inflammation from fire ant stings better than untreated controls. The conclusion is that phytochemicals offer a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to update the treatment of fire ant stings.

1. FIRE ANT STINGS:
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY &
NATURAL REMEDY
Kevin KF Ng, MD, PhD
Former Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Miami, Florida
kevinng68@gmail.com

2. Discovery of Pulmonary Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and
its Inhibitor in venom of Bothrops Jararaca

3. Mobile, AL

4. Statistics according to American College of
Asthma, Allergy and Immunology
 500,000 of Americans go to Emergency Room each year.
 More than 40 people die from sting anaphylaxis annually.
 Fire Ant may be the number one agent of inset stings.
 Fire Ants cost Americans $6 billion a year including
insecticides.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects/
http://www.extension.org/pages/14345/fire-ant-control:-the-two-step-method-and-other-approaches#.VOk8di58z30
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/georgia-woman-dies-fire-ant-sting/story?id=19706086

5. Problems: Pain, Itch, infection
Dr. Blake Layton, Extension Entomology Specialist
Department of Entomology, Mississippi State University
http://msucares.com/insects/fireants/sting.html
Natural history of fire ant sting from contact to resolution

6. 1% Systemic Reactions
99% Local Reactions
Skin

8. 95%
5%,
Composition of Fire Ant Venom
Solenopsin Allergenic Proteins

9. Composition & Actions of Fire Ant Venom
95%: Solenopsin A
 Angiogenesis inhibitor
 neuronal NO synthase inhibitor
 Cytotoxic (muscles, nerves, blood cells)
 Insecticidal
 Antimicrobial (fungus, bacteria, virus)
5%: Allergenic proteins (46)
 Phospholipase A
 Phospholipase A inhibitor
 Cytotoxic (muscles, nerves)
 Growth factor
 Thioredoxin peroxidase

13. Stings Inflammation Pus & Itch
Local Reactions to Fire Ant Stings
Pain, Swelling, Redness ,Warmth,

14. Treatment of Fire Ant Stings
Inflammation & Itch
Home remedies
 Ice
 Vinegar
 Ammonia
 Sodium bicarbonate
 Aloe vera gel
Over-the-counter products
 Antihistamines (2% Benadry max strength)
 Corticosteroids (1% Cortaid max strength)
 Local anesthetics (20% Benzocaine max st)
 Local analgesics (10% Trolamine salicylate)
 Calamine lotion (8% zinc oxide)

15. Disadvantages of Current Topical Renedies
 Low concentration of active ingredients.
 Water-based formulations.
 Inefficient and slow absorption.
 Actions limited to 2 out of 14 mediators.
 Many mediators act unopposed.
 Therefore treatment is incomplete.

16. Inflammatory Mediators and Current Inhibitors

17. Sources of Phytochemicals in
flowers, fruits, vegetables, leaves, barks & roots

18. Extraction of Phytochemicals
Botanical Products (Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Barks, Roots in carrier medium.
Homogenizer
Centrifuge
Separation of Supernatant from Residue
Tests on Subjects

19. Effects of Phytochemicals on Inflammatory Mediators

20. Effects of Phytochemicals on Inflammatory Mediators

21. Effect of Phytochemicals on Fire Ant Stings
Untreated for 36 hours Treated for 36 hours

23. Hypersensitivity Reactions (anaphylaxis) to Fire Ant Stings
Systemic
response:1%
Urticaria
Angioedema
Pruritis
Bronchoconstriction
Hypotension
Organ failure
Death
“Cytokine Storm”
Hospital

25. Experimental treatment of Cytokine Storm
 Corticosteroids
 TNF-alpha blockers
 ACE inhibitors and ARB
 Gemfibrosil
 OX 40 immunoglobulin
 Antioxidants
Renin angiotensin system
Renin
angiotensinogen
Angiotensin I
Converting enzyme
Angiotensin II

26. CONCLUSIONS
 The pathophysiology of acute inflammation has outpaced the treatment of
fire ant stings.
 The conventional topical treatment of fire ant stings needs to be updated
in accordance with new scientific knowledge.
 The abundance of phytochemicals in nature that targets multiple mediators
of inflammation opens up new frontiers for the treatment of fire ant stings.
 The phytochemicals are inexpensive, safe, effective and free from
unwanted side effects.