Oxidative Stress Induced By The Metallic Oxide The Copper Oxide (Cuo-Nps) On Terrestrial Snail Helix Aspersa

Our study focused on the evaluation of the toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on a bioindicator; the land snail Helix aspersa. Their effects were studied by a targeted approach in the laboratory, by evaluating the oxidative stress biomarkers in hepatopancreas and kidney (GSH, GST, GPx, CAT, and LPO). The snails were exposed to increasing concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg) of CuO-NPs mixed in wheat flour during a sub-chronic treatment period of 45 days. Our results show that: CuO-NPs can induce oxidative stress, by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was confirmed by the decrease in glutathione (GSH) level and reduction of its metabolizing enzyme glutathione-s-transferase (GST) in both organs, as they trigger the detoxification system resulting in increased activity of the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase defense enzyme and lipide peroxidation indices within the hepatopancreas.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Egyptian Eremina desertorum and Helix aspersa snail mucus with a novel approach to their anti-inflammatory and wound healing potencies

Snail mucus is composed of bioactive compounds thought to have different biological properties for the treatment of some skin problems. Although Helix aspersa mucus is used in several cosmetic products, a detailed characterization of Eremina desertorum mucus composition and its biological activities is still missing. Mucus extracts (MEs) from H. aspersa and E. desertorum were prepared and tested for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities with their potencies in wound healing. Also, chemical characterization was performed by GC–MS analysis. Results showed that ME of E. desertorum gave higher inhibitory activity against resistant strains related to burn wound infections compared to ME of H. aspersa. Additionally, it revealed a significant anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, we found that ME of E. desertorum lacked cytotoxicity and was able to significantly induce cell proliferation and migration through up-regulation of TGF-β1 and VEGF gene expression. Our results suggested that MEs of E. desertorum have higher biological effects than H. aspersa, which are attributable to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities, cell proliferation and pave the way for further investigating its potential effect as a human therapeutic agent.

Use of an anthelmintic to control parasitic nematodes of Helix aspersa (Müller)

Purpose. To estimate the parameters of infestation of Helix aspersa by nematodes, experimentally identify the optimal concentration of anti-helminthic drugs and assess their effectiveness. Methodology. The experimental work on the development of therapeutic measures against nematodes of Helix aspersa (Müller) lasted for 15 days. The results of the experiments were evaluated by the following indicators: extensiveness and intensity of parasite infestation; survival of mollusks,%. Feeding activity was assessed by the relative amount of feed the mollusks ate per day. At the beginning of the experiments, histological examinations of mollusk tissues were performed. Selected samples were preserved in 4% formalin solution and then histological sections were made, which were than frozen with subsequent staining with hematoxylin-eosin. Histological analysis was performed using a light microscope at 8x and 40x magnification and a Sciencelab T500 5.17 M photographic digital camera. Assessment of changes in the histostructure was performed visually and using morformetric analysis on mollusk intestine samples. Two variants of the experiment with albendanzole (variant № 2 and 3) and control were evaluated. Findings. According to the results of the experiments, the best indicators of the anthelmintic effect and survival of snails were obtained using albendazole added to compound feed at a concentration of 0.02% of the live weight of mollusks. At this concentration, complete destruction of mature individuals of Alloionema appendiculatum was noted, as well as a decrease in the infection of snails with helminth eggs from 100% to 10%. The study of the histostructure of tissues and organs of mollusks showed that the use of albendazole at concentrations of 0.01% and 0.02% did not cause noticeable pathological changes in the muscles and brain of mollusks. However, certain structural abnormalities were observed in the cells of the intestinal and liver epithelium, which were detected as vacuolization of the cytoplasm, destruction of cell membranes, lysis and pycnosis of nuclei. The relative number of such cells with the pathology was about 10-15% when using 0.01% albendazole, and increased to 30-50% when using albendazole at a concentration of 0.02% of the live weight of snails. No noticeable anthelmintic effect was found when using trematozole. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the therapeutic effect and the optimal scheme of deworming of mollusks Helix aspersa infected with the parasitic nematode Alloionema appendiculatum were determined experimentally. Practical significance. The obtained results are of interest to enterprises engaged in snail farming. Key words: mollusk Helix aspersa Muller, nematodosis, extensiveness and intensity of invasion, anthelmintic drugs, morpho-histological parameters.

Study of the probiotic potential and evaluation of the survival rate of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum lyophilized as a function of cryoprotectant

The benefits of probiotics for the improvement of animal health status have been of great interest in recent years. For this reason, in this study was aimed at assessing a strain with probiotic potential to be added to the feed. Therefore, the objective of this trial is to use a strain with probiotic potential isolated from the intestinal microbiota of Helix aspersa Müller to subsequently add it to the feed of this species to improve its health status. So, the strain is characterized, and its probiotic potential is demonstrated. Finally, with the aim of preserving the probiotic strain by freeze-drying so that it can later be added to the feed, different cryoprotectants were studied that could give it a higher survival rate over time. The cryoprotectant that gives the best result with strain survival rate is trehalose 15%.

Evaluation and comparison of antimicrobial efficacy of snail mucus of Egyptian Eremina desertorum and Helix aspersa with novel approach of their anti-inflammatory and wound healing potencies

Snail mucus is composed of bioactive compounds thought to have different biological properties for the treatment of some skin problems. Although Helix aspersa mucus is used in several cosmetic products, a detailed characterization of Eremina desertorum mucus composition and its biological activities is still missing. Mucus extracts (MEs) from H. aspersa and E. desertorum were prepared and tested for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities with their potencies in wound healing. Also, chemical characterization is done by GC-MS analysis. Results showed that ME of E. desertorum gave higher inhibitory activity against resistant strains related to burn wound infections compared to ME of H. aspersa. Also, it revealed a significant anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, we found that ME of E. desertorum lacked cytotoxicity and was able to significantly induce cell proliferation and migration through up-regulation expression of TGFβ1 and VEGF genes. Our results suggested that MEs of E. desertorum have higher biological effects compared to H. aspersa, which are attributable to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities, cell proliferation and pave the way for further investigating its potential effect as a human therapeutic agent.

The Protective Effect of Snail Secretion Filtrate in an Experimental Model of Excisional Wounds in Mice

Wound healing is a physiological process comprising several coordinated phases, such as inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. For centuries, Helix aspersa Muller mucus has been known to have biological properties that are useful for treating skin disorders. In this study, we used a full-thickness excisional wound model in mice to test the hypothesis that Snail Secretion Filtrate (SSF) can improve the wound healing process. The mucus from Helix aspersa Muller was obtained mechanically by manually stimulating snails with a sterile cotton swab tip, and then the mucus was subjected to a series of filtrations to obtain SSF. After wounding, the mice were treated topically with SSF for 14 days. Our macroscopic results show that the SSF treatment significantly improved the speed and percentage of wound area closure. Furthermore, SSF improved several markers of proper wound healing, such as collagen deposition (Masson, COL3A1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)) and the tissue remodeling process (α-sma, vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF)). SSF was also able to counteract the inflammatory process in injured wound tissue (myeloperoxidase (MPO) IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). In conclusion, our results show that SSF is able to enhance the speed and efficiency of wound healing and positively regulate several aspects of the wound healing process, such as the proliferative and remodeling phases.

La helicicultura como alternativa de desarrollo sostenible: un estudio de caso

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo determinar los beneficios que ofrece la helicicultura en el ámbito internacional. Para ello, se presenta un estudio de caso que fue aplicado en el municipio de San Vicente Ferrer (Antioquia), siendo este un referente en el manejo que se le ha dado a la helicicultura como actividad económica. Para ello, a través de la aplicación de una metodología cualitativa, esta investigación empleó un procedimiento exploratorio y descriptivo, el cual plantea la comparación de los efectos obtenidos que aún no han sido descubiertos para el bienestar de la sociedad. El estudio de caso, partiendo desde la revisión documental en función de las variables estéticas, biológicas, económicas, sociales y ambientales, arrojó como resultado que los beneficios de la helicicultura transcienden más allá de la variable económica, siempre y cuando se adopte un modelo eficiente de producción. Finalmente, luego del análisis realizado, se concluyó que la actividad es poco conocida en el medio, que se requieren permisos y licencias sanitarias de buenas prácticas para la cría del molusco Helix aspersa máxima, pero sobre todo de un conocimiento, tanto del modelo de producción sostenible en función de lo que representa la inversión, la infraestructura, la capacitación, el estudio de factibilidad financiera y las acciones de desarrollo, así como del estatus global del mercado, esto con la intención de consolidar esfuerzos para potencializar el comercio exterior, aprovechando la demanda de este producto en el mercado europeo y anglosajón.

Comparative toxicity of abamectin and nano-derived form on land snail, Helix aspersa in attributing to cytotoxicity and biochemical alterations

The comparative toxic effect of Vertimec® 1.8% EC, Fast Max Super® 8.4% SC and nano-derived form of abamectin (ABM) (1% nano-emulsion) as a dermal contact for 48 h against land snail, Helix aspersa was evaluated at laboratorial trail. Acute toxicity values (LD50) were 6.45, 11.97, and 45.95 µg snail-1 for nano-derived form of ABM, Fast Max Super® and Vertimec®, respectively. Nano-derived form exhibited the highest toxic effects (1.86 and 7.12-folds), respect to Fast Max Super® and Vertimec®. Sublethal doses: 1/10 and 1/100 LD50s of the examined compounds were applied to evaluate some biochemical alterations e.g. acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdhyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), respectively, in haemolymph and digestive glands homogenates. The all treatments significantly decreased AChE activity in ganglia homogenate, respect to control group (untreated). All treatments exhibited MDA level and LDH activity greater than the control in both haemolymph and digestive gland. This concept recognizes the cytotoxic effect of ABM on gastropods. Significant declines in GST, ACP, and ALP activities were exhibited in homogenate of digestive gland for the all treatments. However, AST/ALT activities exhibited increase greater than untreated group. These findings may explain the role of these doses of ABM for dysfunction in organs of H. aspersa. Thus, prepared nano-emulsion was more potent toxic on land snails. However, H. aspersa is considered a useful tool to assess ecotoxicological impact of pesticides.