Potential future applications of spermatheca extract from the marine snail Telescopium telescopium

Authors: S. ROY, U. DATTA, DEBAKI GHOSH, PARTHA SARATHI DASGUPTA, PRASENJIT MUKHERJEE, UTTIO ROYCHOWDHURY

Abstract: Cytosol fraction of spermatheca and/or the ovotestis gland from the marine snail Telescopium telescopium was found to have antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antifertility, and immunomodulation properties. The present experiment was conducted to explore the biochemical nature, composition, and pharmacological properties of the cytosol fraction along with its toxicity on the hematopoietic system in vivo. This glandular extract was analyzed and found to contain enzymes, hormones, minerals, vitamins, and other biologically active components like higher vertebrates. The present study showed that the extract was able to restrict the induced tumor (sarcoma-180) growth in mice concomitantly with an increased life span of the tumor bearing mice, but without any hematopoietic toxicity. This antitumor property was thought to be mediated immunologically as also found in other aspects of pharmacological actions of this extract; hence, it could be developed as a potent immunomodulator to be used for various pathological conditions in general, but in cancer in particular.

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