In Vitro Influence of Extracts from Snail Helix aspersa Müller on the Colon Cancer Cell Line Caco-2

Influence of the extraction method on functional properties of commercial snail secretion filtrates

Snail secretion is a complex mixture of several components, including proteins, glycoproteins, mucopolysaccharides and smaller molecules. Its growing use in nutraceutical, cosmetic and biomedical applications, as well as a component of edible and green packaging to replace chemical plasticizer, implies more affordable and sustainable extraction methods. We chose four extracts obtained from Cornu aspersum snails, different by origin, extraction medium (namely, citric acid, lactic acid or none) and additives and we performed a series of characterizations including the SDS-page, the measure of pH and density, the evaluation of dry matter and of protein content, supported by structural determinations by means of UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy, X-Rays diffraction and thermogravimetric measurements. Biological assays comprising evaluation of cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity were also carried out. All the tests were performed both on the as received snail filtrates and on the samples after proper dialysis to remove preservatives added by manufacturers. The obtained results put into evidence that the properties and composition of the final extract are strongly influenced by the collection method, that can be relevant for the proper use of snail filtrate in specific applications.

Biological Properties of the Mucus and Eggs of Helix aspersa Müller as a Potential Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Raw Material: A Preliminary Study

In recent years, snail mucus (SM) has become popular as an active ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. In turn, snail eggs (SEs) also seem to be a promising active compound, but the biological activities of SEs are significantly less known. Therefore, our preliminary study aimed to compare the biological activities of the SEs and SM of Helix aspersa Müller. The metabolomic analysis (LC-MS technique), determination of the antimicrobial activity (agar diffusion test, broth microdilution methods), antioxidant activity (ABTS assay), cytotoxicity assay (MTT), and proapoptotic properties (flow cytometry) of the SEs and SM were evaluated. It was found that the SEs and SM contain 8005 and 7837 compounds, respectively. The SEs showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC 12.5 mg/mL) and P. aeruginosa (MIC 3.12 mg/mL). The EC50 estimation of the antioxidant activity is 89.64 mg/mL and above 100 mg/mL for the SEs and SM, respectively. The SEs also inhibited the cell proliferation of cancer cell lines (HCT-116, MCF-7, HT-29) more strongly compared to the SM. The highest proportion of apoptotic cells in HCT-116 was observed. The reach composition of the compounds in the SEs and SM may be crucial for the creation of new cosmetic and pharmaceutical raw materials with different biological activities. However, further extended studies on the biological activities of H. aspersa-delivered materials are still necessary.

Planarian Mucus: A Novel Source of Pleiotropic Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Agents against Cancer Cells

Biological evolution has generated a vast array of natural compounds produced by organisms across all domains. Among these, secondary metabolites, selected to enhance an organism's competitiveness in its natural environment, make them a reservoir for discovering new compounds with cytotoxic activity, potentially useful as novel anticancer agents. Slime secretions, the first barrier between epithelial surfaces and the surrounding environment, frequently contain cytotoxic molecules to limit the growth of parasitic organisms. Planarians, freshwater Triclads, continuously secrete a viscous mucus with multiple physiological functions. The chemical composition of planarian mucus has been only partially elucidated, and there are no studies reporting its cytotoxic or cytostatic effects. In this study, we developed a protocol for collecting mucus from Dugesia japonica specimens and we demonstrated that it inhibits the growth of cancer cells by activating cytostatic and ROS-dependent cytotoxic mechanisms inducing lipid droplet accumulation and mitochondrial membrane reorganization. Although further research is needed to identify the specific chemicals responsible for the anticancer activity of planarian mucus, this work opens up numerous research avenues aimed at better understanding the mechanisms of action of this product for potential therapeutic applications.

Investigating the inhibitory effects of carotenoids-fortified Helix aspersa slime on oxidative stress, collagenase and tyrosinase enzyme activities

BACKGROUND

The investigations of snail slime and its possible biological activities have been performed recently.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the properties of Helix aspersa snail slime (HAS), and carotenoids-fortified slime (HASC).

METHODS

Snails were fed with carrots for 10 days. Slime was collected and extracted using water. Saponins identification, antioxidant, collagenase, and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition activities, carotenoids, total phenols, and flavonoids content, were determined. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis was performed for phytochemical characterization.

RESULTS

Saponins were detected in the HAS extract only. However, HASC was shown to contain a higher carotenoid content than HAS (29.51 ± 0.4 vs. 18.11 ± 0.2 μg/g). similarly, total phenolic and flavonoid content were higher for the the HASC extract compared to the HAS (182.3 ± 5.2 vs. 150.28 ± 3.3 mg/g equivalent to gallic acid), and (77.62 ± 1.2 vs. 14.19 ± 0.9 mg/g equivalent to quercetin). As expected, the HASC extract exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared to the HAS, using DPPH and the ABTS assays (IC50 = 7.75 ± 0.14 vs. 20.1 ± 0.4 μg/mL), and (IC50 = 7.6 ± 0.26 vs. 19.57 ± 1.4 μg/mL). UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of several phytocomponents of which, hexadecanoic acid and ascorbic acid, were observed in the HASC extract. Furthermore, HASC extract exhibited superior inhibitory activity compared to HAS against collagenase and tyrosinase enzymes (IC50 = 8.4 ± 1.19 vs. 15.3 ± 1.12 μg/mL) and (IC50 = 30.1 ± 0.91 vs. 35 ± 1.3 μg/mL).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential of HASC as a valuable ingredient in various pharmaceutical applications, due to their content of various phenolic, antioxidants, carotenoids, hexadecanoic, and ascorbic acids. The latter is well known for its great cosmeceutical applications used for slowing the process of skin aging.

Exploring the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Properties of Helix aspersa Müller Flesh Crude Extract: A Comprehensive Investigation

Snail flesh is a highly nutritious and easily digestible food commonly integrated into the human diet. In this study, snails belonging to the Helix aspersa Müller species were used to determine their chemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of their flesh using successive maceration extractions with three solvents of different polarities. Biomolecules were analyzed spectrophotometrically, and their chemical compositions were determined by using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity was assessed using three tests: DPPH, iron-reducing power test, and total antioxidant activity. The ethanol extract was found to be the most effective, with a high yield and high biomolecule content compared with other extracts. The extracts showed a significant amount of antioxidants, ranging from 3.14 to 7.04 mg AAE g-1 of dry matter, according to the total antioxidant activity assay. The DPPH scavenging capacity showed a reduction of the radical, with inhibitory concentrations ranging from 507.07 to 829.49 μg mL-1. In contrast, the iron-reducing power ranged from 67.98 to 424.74 μg mL-1. All of the strains studied responded favorably to the antimicrobial effects of H. aspersa extracts, with a zone of inhibition ranging from 8.48 to 15.53 mm. Additionally, at approximately 15 mg mL-1, the ethanolic extract had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. H. aspersa Müller flesh is rich in biomolecules with antioxidant and antibacterial activities, which could justify its use as a natural product and in therapeutic applications in the food industry.

Immunotherapeutic Potential of Mollusk Hemocyanins in Murine Model of Melanoma

The development of antitumor drugs and therapy requires new approaches and molecules, and products of natural origin provide intriguing alternatives for antitumor research. Gastropodan hemocyanins-multimeric copper-containing glycoproteins have been used in therapeutic vaccines and antitumor agents in many cancer models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established a murine model of melanoma by challenging C57BL/6 mice with a B16F10 cell line for solid tumor formation in experimental animals. The anticancer properties of hemocyanins isolated from the marine snail Rapana thomasiana (RtH) and the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa (HaH) were evaluated in this melanoma model using various schemes of therapy. Flow cytometry, ELISA, proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays, as well as histology investigations, were also performed.

RESULTS

Beneficial effects on tumor growth, tumor incidence, and survival of tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice after administration of the RtH or HaH were observed. The generation of high titers of melanoma-specific IgM antibodies, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and tumor-specific CTLs, and high levels of tumor-infiltrated M1 macrophages enhanced the immune reaction and tumor suppression.

DISCUSSION

Both RtH and HaH exhibited promising properties for applications as antitumor therapeutic agents and future experiments with humans.

Evaluation of antioxidant, antityrosinase, and anticancer activity of mucus extract from both Egyptian land snails, Eremina desertorum and Helix aspersa, with emphasis on their chemical profiles

The snail mucus provides several functions and is increasingly being exploited for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. This study aimed to determine the chemical profile of two snail mucus extracts: the garden snail (Helix aspersa) and the desert snail (Eremina desertorum). In addition, it elucidates the antityrosinase, antioxidant, and anticancer activities against the human cancer cell line epithelioid carcinoma (Hela). The mucus was extracted from the pedal glands of garden snails (H. aspersa) and desert snails (E. desertorum). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay and the content of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione were utilized to assess the antioxidative screening activity of the mucus extracts. Besides a tyrosinase inhibitor assay, anticancer activity on cervical cancer cells (Hela) was studied. Additionally, the two mucus samples' total protein, total lipid, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles were compared. The mucus from both snails exhibited antioxidant activity. E. desertorum is more effective in inhibiting tyrosinase activity and has better scavenging activity than H. aspersa mucus extract. Both extracts revealed inhibitory activity against Hela cells, with insignificant differences. Moreover, the results indicated higher protein, lipids, and fatty acids mucus content of E. desertorum extract than those of H. aspersa mucus extract. Both snail slimes' obtained different biological activities, and amino acid contents could be related to their specific functions and beneficial for medical applications, especially antihyperpigmentation.

Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucus

Snail mucus had medical applications for wound healing as early as ancient Greece and the late Han Dynasty (China). A literature search found 165 modern research papers discussing the extraction methods, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, and applications of snail mucus. Thus, this review summarized the research progress on the extraction, structure, pharmacological activities, and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucus. The extraction methods of snail mucus include natural secretion and stimulation with blunt force, spray, electricity, un-shelling, ultrasonic-assisted, and ozone-assisted. As a natural product, snail mucus mainly comprises two polysaccharides (glycosaminoglycan, dextran), seven glycoproteins (mucin, lectin), various antibacterial peptides, allantoin, glycolic acid, etc. It has pharmacological activities that encourage cell migration and proliferation, and promote angiogenesis and have antibacterial, anti-oxidative and anticancer properties. The mechanism of snail mucus' chemicals performing antibacterial and wound-healing was proposed. Snail mucus is a promising bioactive product with multiple medical applications and has great potential in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Therefore, this review provides a valuable reference for researching and developing snail mucus.

Gastropod Mucus: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biological Activities, Applications, and Strategic Priorities

Terrestrial gastropod mucus exhibits multifunctional attributes, enabling diverse applications. This comprehensive review integrates insights across biomedicine, biotechnology, and intellectual property to elucidate the bioactivities, physicochemical properties, and ecological roles of snail and slug mucus. Following an overview of mucus functional roles in gastropods, promising applications are highlighted in wound healing, antimicrobials, biomaterials, and cosmetics, alongside key challenges. An analysis of global patent trends reveals surging innovation efforts to leverage gastropod mucus. Strategic priorities include bioprospecting natural diversity, optimizing stabilization systems, recombinant biosynthesis, and fostering collaboration to translate promising potentials sustainably into impactful technologies. Ultimately, harnessing the remarkable multifunctionality of gastropod mucus holds immense opportunities for transformative innovations in biomedicine, biotechnology, and beyond.

Effect of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass with increased kynurenic acid content on selected metabolic indicators in mice

Background

The unconventional yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica is a valuable source of protein and many other nutrients. It can be used to produce hydrolytic enzymes and metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan with a multidirectional effect on the body. The administration of Y. lipolytica with an increased content of KYNA in the diet may have a beneficial effect on metabolism, which was evaluated in a nutritional experiment on mice.

Methods

In the dry biomass of Y. lipolytica S12 enriched in KYNA (high-KYNA yeast) and low-KYNA (control) yeast, the content of KYNA was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, proximate and amino acid composition and selected indicators of antioxidant status were compared. The effect of 5% high-KYNA yeast content in the diet on the growth, hematological and biochemical indices of blood and the redox status of the liver was determined in a 7-week experiment on adult male mice from an outbred colony derived from A/St, BALB/c, BN/a and C57BL/6J inbred strains.

Results

High-KYNA yeast was characterized by a greater concentration of KYNA than low-KYNA yeast (0.80 ± 0.08 vs. 0.29 ± 0.01 g/kg dry matter), lower content of crude protein with a less favorable amino acid composition and minerals, higher level of crude fiber and fat and lower ferric-reducing antioxidant power, concentration of phenols and glutathione. Consumption of the high-KYNA yeast diet did not affect the cumulative body weight gain per cage, cumulative food intake per cage and protein efficiency ratio compared to the control diet. A trend towards lower mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit, higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lower serum total protein and globulins was observed, increased serum total cholesterol and urea were noted. Its ingestion resulted in a trend towards greater ferric-reducing antioxidant power in the liver and did not affect the degree of liver lipid and protein oxidation.

Conclusions

The improvement of the quality of Y. lipolytica yeast biomass with increased content of KYNA, including its antioxidant potential, would be affected by the preserved level of protein and unchanged amino acid profile. It will be worth investigating the effect of such optimized yeast on model animals, including animals with metabolic diseases.

Nutritional Composition, Fatty Acids Profile, Mineral Content, Antioxidant Activity and Acute Toxicity of the Flesh of Helix aspesra Müller

Humans consume snail flesh as part of their diet. To assess its nutritional value and toxicity, chemical analyses were conducted to confirm the presence of protein, total and reduced carbohydrates, fat, fatty acid composition and mineral components. Furthermore, an acute toxicity study was carried out to determine the safety of Helix aspersa Müller snail flesh. H. aspersa Müller snail flesh exhibits a high nutritional content, a good ω3/ω6 ratio and higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Various minerals have been found in the flesh of H. aspersa Müller. Around 76.91 kcal, or 3.84% of the energy of a daily meal of 2000 kcal, are present in 100 g of this flesh. The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity indicated that the flesh's extracts contained a large quantity of antioxidant biomolecules. Administration of the aqueous extract of H. aspersa Müller flesh didn't cause death in laboratory rats, indicating that the lethal dose 50 is greater than 2000 mg·kg-1 body weight. The consumption of the flesh of H. aspersa Müller is highly recommended for human consumption due to its high concentration of nutrients and essential elements, as well as unsaturated fats, and due to its safety.

Edible Snail Production in Europe

Simple Summary

Edible snails are a good source of easily digestible nutrients. They are easy to breed and their farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional livestock: they need little space, use less feed per kg of growth, and emit significantly less greenhouse gases. This review aims to present the most important issues related to the breeding of edible snails in European conditions: their importance, maintaining systems, the value of meat and caviar, and the feed used during the animals’ rearing and fattening period.

Abstract

The human population is growing; food production is becoming insufficient, and the growing awareness of the negative impact of traditional animal husbandry on the environment means that the search for alternative methods of providing animal protein is continuously underway. The breeding of edible snails seems to be a promising option. The most popular species of edible snails in Europe include the brown garden snail Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) (previously divided into two subspecies: Cornu aspersum aspersum (Müller, 1774) and Cornu aspersum maxima (Taylor, 1883)), as well as the Roman Snail—Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758. These animals are highly productive, require relatively little space, are easy to breed and their maintenance does not require large financial outlays. This review focuses on the prospects of food snail farming in Europe. It discusses the living conditions, the nutritional value of the snails’ meat, and the way of feeding the animals, paying particular attention to issues still not scientifically resolved, such as the need for micro and macro elements, as well as fat and carbohydrates.

Beneficial Effects of Snail Helix aspersa Extract in an Experimental Model of Alzheimer’s Type Dementia

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with multifactorial etiology, unsatisfactory treatment, and a necessity for broad-spectrum active substances for cure. The mucus from Helix aspersa snail is a mixture of bioactive molecules with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. So far there are no data concerning the capacity of snail extract (SE) to affect neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: The effects of SE from Helix aspersa on learning and memory deficits in Alzheimer’s type dementia (ATD) induced by scopolamine (Sco) in male Wistar rats were examined and some mechanisms of action underlying these effects were evaluated. Methods: SE (0.5 mL/100 g) was applied orally through a food tube for 16 consecutive days: 5 days before and 11 days simultaneously with Sco (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). At the end of Sco treatment, using behavioral methods, we evaluated memory performance. Additionally, in cortex and hippocampus the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, acetylcholine and monoamines (dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin) content, levels of main oxidative stress markers, and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) were determined. Results: We demonstrated that, according to all behavioral tests used, SE significantly improved the cognitive deficits induced by Sco. Furthermore, SE possessed AChE inhibitory activity, moderate antioxidant properties and the ability to modulate monoamines content in two brain structures. Moreover, multiple SE applications not only restored the depressed by Sco expression of CREB and BDNF, but significantly upregulated it. Conclusion: Summarizing results, we conclude that complex mechanisms underlie the beneficial effects of SE on impaired memory in Alzheimer’s type dementia.

Effect of extracts from eggs of Helix aspersa maxima and Helix aspersa aspersa snails on Caco-2 colon cancer cells

Background

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. Natural compounds, administered together with conventional chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiotherapy, may be a novel element in the combination therapy of this cancer. Considering the anticancer properties of compounds derived from different tissues of various snail species confirmed earlier, the purpose of the present research was to evaluate the effect of extracts from eggs of Helix aspera maxima and Helix aspersa aspersa snails, and fractions of extracts containing particles of different molecular weights on Caco-2 human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods

The extracts and fractions were analyzed for antioxidant activity, phenols and total carbohydrates using colorimetric methods. Lipid peroxidation products and glutathione in eggs were also examined using these methods. Crude protein and fat in eggs were determined. Molecular weights of egg proteins and glycoproteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Astaxanthin, selected vitamins and amino acids in eggs were measured using liquid chromatography methods, and minerals by emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry or X-ray fluorescence. The action of extracts on the cell viability was determined by the MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) test, based on the mitochondrial oxidative activity, after 24 and 72 h of treatment. The influence of fractions on the cell viability was assayed after 24 h. The effect of extracts on the percentage of live and dead cells was evaluated by the trypan blue assay, in which live cells exclude trypan blue, while dead cells take up this dye, after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. Their influence on the integrity of cell membranes was determined based on the activity of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), released from damaged cells, after 24 and 72 h of treatment. Then, the effect of extracts on the content of lipid peroxidation products in cells was examined using colorimetric method, after 24 h of treatment. Their influence on types of cell death was determined by flow cytometry, after this time.

Results

The extracts and their fractions containing molecules <3 kDa decreased the cell viability, after 24 h of treatment. The extracts reduced the percentage of live cells (also after 48 h), increased the degree of cell membrane damage and the amount of lipid peroxidation products, induced apoptosis and reduced necrosis.

Conclusions

Antioxidants, phenols, lipid peroxidation products, anticancer peptides, restriction of methionine, appropriate ratio of essential amino acids to non-essential amino acids, vitamin D3, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se and other bioactive compounds comprised in the extracts and their additive and synergistic effects may have influenced Caco-2 cells. Natural extracts or the chemical compounds contained in them might be used in the combination therapy of colorectal cancer, which requires further research.

The effect of biologically active compounds in the mucus of slugs Limax maximus and Arion rufus on human skin cells

Molluscs are one of the sources of biologically active substances, which are now intensively studied, especially for their anti-cancer properties. Malignant melanoma originates from melanocytes, develops very quickly and is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the properties of biologically active compounds in sterile mucus isolated from slugs Limax maximus and Arion rufus. Tested mucus were isolated using the new self-developed method which is safe for the environment and the animal donors. The impact of the mucus on human keratinocytes CCD 1106 KERTr and malignant melanoma cells A-375 was examined using MTT assay and SRB assay, which allowed us to determine the cell metabolic activity and cell number after treating them with slug mucus isolated from Limax maximus and Arion rufus decreased human keratinocytes and melanoma cells metabolic activity as well as manifested properties of reducing the number of cells in both tested cell lines, and therefore can be a source of biologically active substances with anticancer potential.

Human health and snails

Snails can provide a considerable variety of bioactive compounds for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, useful for the development of new formulations with less toxicity and post effects compared to regular compounds used for the purpose. Compounds from crude extract, mucus, slime consist of glycans, polypeptides, proteins, etc., and can be used for curing diseases like viral lesions, warts, and different dermal problems. Some particular uses of snails involve treating post-traumatic stress. Micro RNA of Lymnaea stagnalis, was known to be responsible for the development of long-term memory and treatment of Alzheimer's and Dementia like diseases. This review explores the application of various bioactive compounds from snails with its potential as new translational medicinal and cosmetic applications. Snail bioactive compounds like ω-MVIIA, μ-SIIIA, μO-MrVIB, Xen2174, δ-EVIA, α-Vc1.1, σ-GVIIA, Conantokin-G, and Contulakin-G, conopeptides can be used for the development of anti-cancer drugs. These compounds target the innate immunity and improve the defense system of humans and provide protection against these life-threatening health concerns.AbbreviationsFDA: Food and Drug Administration; UTI: urinal tract infection; nAChRs: nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; NMDA: N-methyl-D-aspartate; CNS: central nervous system; CAR T: chimeric antigen receptors therapy; Micro RNA: micro ribonucleic acid.

Snail mucus from the mantle and foot of two land snails, Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta distincta, exhibits different protein profile and biological activity

OBJECTIVE

Snails secrete different types of mucus that serve several functions, and are increasingly being exploited for medical and cosmetic applications. In this study, we explored the protein pattern and compared the biological properties of the mucus secreted from the mantle collar and foot of two snail species, Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta distincta.

RESULT

Protein profile showed a different pattern between the two species and between the two secretory parts. The mantle-specific protein bands were further characterized and among them was an antibacterial protein, achacin. Accordingly, the mucus from the mantle exhibited the higher antibacterial activity than that from the foot in both snail species. The mucus from H. distincta, first reported here, also showed antibacterial properties, but with a lower activity compared to that for L. fulica. Snail mucus also exhibited anti-tyrosinase activity and antioxidant activity but with no significant difference between the foot and mantle mucus. These results indicate some different protein compositions and biological activities of snail slime from the mantle and foot, which might be associated with their specific functions in the animal and are useful for medical applications.

Protective effect of snail secretion filtrate against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice

Gastric ulcer or peptic ulcer is a common disease worldwide. Basically, it develops when there is an imbalance between the protective and aggressive factors, especially at the luminal surface of epithelial cells. Thus, there is a constant interest in research new drugs for treatment of gastric ulcer. The snail secretion is a dense mucous, that covers the external surface of the snails, with important functions for the survival of snails. The biological proprieties of snail Helix Aspersa Muller mucus it has been known for centuries to treat human disorders in particular for skin disease. Recently the use of snail mucus has seen a worldwide increase, as a component in cosmetic product and it has been used in particular for the management of wound and skin disorders. In this study we use a murine model of ethanol intragastric administration which has been widely used to test the drugs efficacies and to explore the underlying mechanism for gastric ulcer development. The intragastric ethanol administration causes several mucosal damages and an induction of a severe inflammatory response. Our results show a significant protective effect of snail secretion filtrate in reducing macroscopic and histological lesions, as well the protective effect on mucus content, oxidative stress and inflammatory response. In conclusion this study demonstrate the protective effect of intragastrical snail secretion filtrate, in a model of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice, suggesting its possible useful use in the treatment or prevention of gastric ulcer.

Hemocyanins from Helix and Rapana Snails Exhibit in Vitro Antitumor Effects in Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Hemocyanins are oxygen-transporting glycoproteins in the hemolymph of arthropods and mollusks that attract scientific interest with their diverse biological activities and potential applications in pharmacy and medicine. The aim of the present study was to assess the in vitro antitumor activity of hemocyanins isolated from marine snail Rapana venosa (RvH) and garden snails Helix lucorum (HlH) and Helix aspersa (HaH), as well the mucus of H. aspersa snails, in the HT-29 human colorectal carcinoma cell line. The effects of the hemocyanins on the cell viability and proliferation were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the alterations in the tumor cell morphology were examined by fluorescent and transmission electron microscopy. The results of the MTT assay showed that the mucus and α-subunit of hemocyanin from the snail H. aspersa had the most significant antiproliferative activity of the tested samples. Cytomorphological analysis revealed that the observed antitumor effects were associated with induction of apoptosis in the tumor cells. The presented data indicate that hemocyanins and mucus from H. aspersa have an antineoplastic activity and potential for development of novel therapeutics for treatment of colorectal carcinoma.

H-type lectins - Structural characteristics and their applications in diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery

Lectins are ubiquitous carbohydrate-binding proteins that interact with sugar moieties in a highly specific manner. H-type lectins represent a new group of lectins that were identified in invertebrates. These lectins share structural homology and bind mainly to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). Recent structural studies on the H-type lectins provided a detailed description of the GalNAc-lectin interaction that is already exploited in a number of biomedical applications. Two members of the H-type lectin family, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) and Helix aspersa agglutinin (HAA), have already been extensively used in many diagnostic tests due their ability to specifically recognize GalNAc. This ability is especially important because aberrant glycosylation patterns of proteins expressed by cancer cells contain GalNAc. In addition, H-type lectins were utilized in diagnostics of other non-cancer diseases and represent great potential as components of drug delivery systems. Here, we present an overview of the H-type lectins and their applications in diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery.

Association of a novel seven-gene expression signature with the disease prognosis in colon cancer patients

Older patients who are diagnosed with colon cancer face unique challenges, specifically regarding to cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic signatures to predicting prognosis in colon cancer patients through a detailed transcriptomic analysis. RNA-seq expression profile, miRNA expression profile, and clinical phenotype information of all the samples of TCGA colon adenocarcinoma were downloaded and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMis) were identified. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed further and DEMs related with prognosis in the ceRNA network was screened using Cox regression analysis. Risk score models for predicting the prognosis of colon cancer patients were built using these DEMs. A total of 1476 DEMs, 9 DELs, and 243 DEMis between the tumor and normal samples were identified and functional enrichment analyses showed that the DEMs were significantly enriched in the nervous system development, ribosome biogenesis pathways in eukaryotes, and drug metabolism cytochrome P450. Twelve DEMs related with prognosis were screened from the ceRNA network. Thereafter, the risk score models of prognostic DEMs were obtained, involving seven DEMs (SGCG, CLDN23, SLC4A4, CCDC78, SLC17A7, OTOP3, and SMPDL3A). Additionally, cancer stage was identified as a prognostic clinical factor. This prognostic signature was further validated in two independent datasets. Our study developed a seven-mRNA and one-clinical factor signature that are associated with prognosis in colon cancer patients, which may serve as possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the future.

Effect of Juice and Extracts from Saposhnikovia divaricata Root on the Colon Cancer Cells Caco-2

Colorectal cancer ranks 3rd in terms of cancer incidence. Growth and development of colon cancer cells may be affected by juice and extracts from Saposhnikovia divaricata root. The objective of the research was to analyze the effect of S. divaricata juice and extracts on the viability, membrane integrity and types of cell death of Caco-2 cells. Juice and extracts were analyzed using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) and in respect of the presence of antioxidants, total carbohydrates, protein, fat and polyphenols. The contents of cimifugin β-D-glucopyranoside, cimifugin, 4′-O-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, imperatorin and protein were the highest in juice. 50% Hydroethanolic extract had the greatest antioxidant potential, concentration of polyphenols and fat. Water extract was characterized by the highest content of glutathione. Juice and 75% hydroethanolic extract contained the most carbohydrates. After the application of juice, 50% extract and the juice fraction containing the molecules with molecular weights >50 kDa, a decrease of the cell viability was noted. Juice and this extract exhibited the protective properties in relation to the cell membranes and they induced apoptosis. The knowledge of further mechanisms of anticancer activity of the examined products will allow to consider their use as part of combination therapy.