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Zhu Z, Deng X, Xie W, Li H, Li Y, Deng Z. Pharmacological effects of bioactive agents in earthworm extract: A comprehensive review. Animal Model Exp Med 2024. [PMID: 38957072 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This review compiles information from the literature on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and molecular mechanisms of earthworm extract (EE) and suggests possibilities for clinical translation of EE. We also consider future trends and concerns in this domain. We summarize the bioactive components of EE, including G-90, lysenin, lumbrokinase, antimicrobial peptides, earthworm serine protease (ESP), and polyphenols, and detail the antitumor, antithrombotic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, wound-healing, antifibrotic, and hypoglycemic activities and mechanisms of action of EE based on existing in vitro and in vivo studies. We further propose the potential of EE for clinical translation in anticancer and lipid-modifying therapies, and its promise as source of a novel agent for wound healing and resistance to antibiotic tolerance. The earthworm enzyme lumbrokinase embodies highly effective anticoagulant and thrombolytic properties and has the advantage of not causing bleeding phenomena due to hyperfibrinolysis. Its antifibrotic properties can reduce the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. The glycolipoprotein extract G-90 can effectively scavenge reactive oxygen groups and protect cellular tissues from oxidative damage. Earthworms have evolved a well-developed defense mechanism to fight against microbial infections, and the bioactive agents in EE have shown good antibacterial, fungal, and viral properties in in vitro and in vivo experiments and can alleviate inflammatory responses caused by infections, effectively reducing pain. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of EE in lowering blood glucose. EE shows high medicinal value and is expected to be a source of many bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinyi Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenqing Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hengzhen Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yusheng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenhan Deng
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Haque S, Hussain A, Almalki AH, Aldawsari MF, Lal B, Rai AK, Srivastava M, Fiołka M. Prospects of earthworm coelomic fluid as a potential therapeutic agent to treat cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:621-637. [PMID: 37910294 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10148-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health concern because it is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As a result, numerous studies have reported the development of new therapeutic compounds with the aim of selectively treating cancer while having little negative influence on healthy cells. In this context, earthworm coelomic fluid has been acknowledged as a rich source of several bioactive substances that may exhibit promising anticancer activity. Therefore, the objective of the present review is to evaluate the findings of the reported studies exploring the antitumor effects of coelomic fluid in the context of its possible utilization as a natural therapeutic agent to cure different types of cancer. The possible mechanisms underlying the coelomic fluid's anticancerous potential as well as the possibility for future development of cutting-edge therapeutic agents utilizing coelomic fluid-derived natural bioactive compounds to treat cancer disorders have been discussed along with future challenges. In addition, the feasibility of encapsulation of bioactive compounds derived from coelomic fluid with nanomaterials that could be further explored to attain more effective anticancer competence is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, P.O. Box 345050, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Atiah H Almalki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Al-Hawiah, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed F Aldawsari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basant Lal
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Applied Sciences and Humanities, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281406, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar Rai
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manish Srivastava
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
- LCB Fertilizers Pvt. Ltd., Shyam Vihar Phase 2, Rani Sati Mandir Road, Lachchhipur, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, 273015, India.
| | - Marta Fiołka
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
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Gudeta K, Kumar V, Bhagat A, Julka JM, Bhat SA, Ameen F, Qadri H, Singh S, Amarowicz R. Ecological adaptation of earthworms for coping with plant polyphenols, heavy metals, and microplastics in the soil: A review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14572. [PMID: 36994405 PMCID: PMC10040515 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, soil pollution by massive accumulation of heavy metals (HMs), microplastics, and refractory hydrocarbon chemicals has become an emerging and global concern, drawing worldwide attention. These pollutants influence soil diversity by hindering the reproduction, abundance, thereby affecting aboveground productivity. The scientific community has recently emphasized the contribution of earthworms to heavy metal accumulation, microplastic degradation, and the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, which helps maintain the soil structure. This review paper aimed to compile scientific facts on how earthworms cope with the effect of HMs, microplastics, and plant polyphenols so that vermiremediation could be widely applied for well-being of the soil ecosystem by environmentalists. Earthworms have special surface-active metabolites in their guts called drilodefensins that help them defend themselves against the oxidative action of plant polyphenols. They also combat the effects of toxic microplastics, and other oxidative compounds by elevating the antioxidant activities of their enzymes and converting them into harmless compounds or useful nutrients. Moreover, earthworms also act as biofilters, bioindicators, bioaccumulators, and transformers of oxidative polyphenols, microplastics, toxic HMs, and other pollutant hydrocarbons. Microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in earthworms' gut of also assist in the fixation, accumulation, and transformation of these toxicants to prevent their effects. As a potential organism for application in ecotoxicology, it is recommended to propagate earthworms in agricultural fields; isolate, and culture enormously in industry, and inoculate earthworms in the polluted soil, thereby abate toxicity and minimizing the health effect caused by these pollutants as well enhance the productivity of crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasahun Gudeta
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Solan, 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Adama Science and Technology University, Department of Applied Biology, P.O. Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Vineet Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ankeet Bhagat
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
| | - Jatinder Mohan Julka
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Solan, 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sartaj Ahmad Bhat
- River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
- Corresponding author.
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Humaira Qadri
- Department of Environmental Sciences, J&K Higher Education Department, Govt. Degree College, Baramulla, 193101, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sumit Singh
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
| | - Ryszard Amarowicz
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, 10-748, Poland
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Antibiofilm Potential of Coelomic Fluid and Paste of Earthworm Pheretima posthuma (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) against Pathogenic Bacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020342. [PMID: 36838307 PMCID: PMC9963238 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic drug resistance is a global public health issue that demands new and novel therapeutic molecules. To develop new agents, animal secretions or products are used as an alternative agent to overcome this problem. In this study, earthworm (Pheretima posthuma) coelomic fluid (PCF), and body paste (PBP) were used to analyze their effects as antibiofilm agents against four bacterial isolates MH1 (Pseudomonas aeruginosa MT448672), MH2 (Escherichia coli MT448673), MH3 (Staphylococcus aureus MT448675), and MH4 (Klebsiella pneumoniae MT448676). Coelomic fluid extraction and body paste formation were followed by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), biofilm formation time kinetics, and an antibiofilm assay, using heat and cold shock, sunlight exposure auto-digestion, and test tube methods. The results showed that the MIC values of PCF and PBP against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli bacterial isolates ranged from 50 to 100 μg/mL, while, the results related to biofilm formation for P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae strains were observed to be highly significantly increased (p < 0.005) after 72 h. E. coli produced a significant (p < 0.004) amount of biofilm after 48 h. Following time kinetics, the antibiofilm activity of PCF and PBP was tested at different concentrations (i.e., 25-200 μg/mL) against the aforementioned four strains (MH1-MH4). The findings of this study revealed that both PBP (5.61 ± 1.0%) and PCF (5.23 ± 1.5%) at the lowest concentration (25 μg/mL) showed non-significant (p > 0.05) antibiofilm activity against all the selected strains (MH1-MH4). At 50 μg/mL concentration, both PCF and PBP showed significant (p < 0.05) biofilm inhibition (<40%) for all isolates. Further, the biofilm inhibitory potential was also found to be more significant (p < 0.01) at 100 μg/mL of PCF and PBP, while it showed highly significant (p < 0.001) biofilm inhibition at 150 and 200 μg/mL concentrations. Moreover, more than 90% biofilm inhibition was observed at 200 μg/mL of PCF, while in the case of the PBP, <96% biofilm reduction (i.e., 100%) was also observed by all selected strains at 200 μg/mL. In conclusion, earthworm body fluid and paste have biologically active components that inhibit biofilm formation by various pathogenic bacterial strains. For future investigations, there is a need for further study to explore the potential bioactive components and investigate in depth their molecular mechanisms from a pharmaceutical perspective for effective clinical utilization.
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Hussain M, Liaqat I, Ali S, Aftab N, Ulfat M, Naseem S, Urooj, Qamar MF. Diversity and Abundance of Delineated Earthworm (Annelida: Clitellata) in Pakistan: A Review. J Oleo Sci 2022; 71:839-834. [PMID: 35661065 DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess22018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Earthworm, a ubiquitous (but neglected) macro-invertebrate, is found in terrestrial vicinity of Pakistan. Moreover, the occurrence of earthworms is often diverse with fluctuating quantity depending upon abiotic factors and land usage patterns. The aim of this study was to summarize all the reported information related to earthworm diversity in different areas of Pakistan. Almost all the data published from year 2001 to 2021 were collected. Following data organization, total 42 earthworm's species including five families (Acanthodrilidae, Lumbricidae, Moniligastridae, Octochaetidae and Megascolecidae) were reported from various researchers. Among five families, family Acanthodrilidae was found to have only one specie (Ramiella bishambari), Lumbricidae consist of 10 species (Apporactodea rosea, Allolobophora trapezoids, Allolobophora chloroticaa, Aporrectodea longa, A. caliginosa, Bimastus parvus, Eisenia fetida, Helodrilus foetidus, Lumbricus terrestris and L. rubillus), Moniligastridae has two species (Drawida nepalensis and D. pellucida) while Octochaetidae possess only one specie (Eutyphoeus incommodus). The most abundant and diverse family Megascolecidae consist of 28 earthworm species in all habitats of different regions of Pakistan. Among geographical areas, Faisalabad was found as the richest territory with most reported earthworm species (i.e. 28). The current study suggests further in depth research to explore the unidentified and/ missing species of earthworms in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudassar Hussain
- Microbiology Lab, Department of Zoology, Government College University Lahore
| | - Iram Liaqat
- Microbiology Lab, Department of Zoology, Government College University Lahore
| | - Sikander Ali
- Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University
| | - Nauman Aftab
- Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University
| | - Mobina Ulfat
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University
| | - Sajida Naseem
- Department of Zoology, University of Education, Lower Mall Campus
| | - Urooj
- Superior College Daska, Department of Zoology, Government College University
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