Investigatory Study of Long Term Doses of <i>Costus afer</i>, Snail Slime, and Their Combination with a Standard Pharmaceutical Drug on Blood Glucose Level of Alloxan Induced Swiss Albino Rat

The Plant, Costus afer Ker Gawl. belongs to the family of Costaceae and has various uses where they exist. Their use in folk medicine and phytomedicine is in the treatment and management of variety of human ailment, like diabetes mellitus, abdominal problems etc. The search for new antidiabetic therapies has become increasingly urgent due to the development of adverse effects and resistance by the chemically synthesized drugs on one hand and effectiveness with low cost of the plant materials on the other hand. The investigations carried out is to determine the long term effects of Costus afer leaf methanol extract, snail slime and the combined Costus afer and snail slime extracts on blood glucose levels of alloxan induced diabetic Swiss albino rats treated orally for 21 days on graded dose of (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg). From the determination, the snail slime showed positive effect on blood glucose lowering level but less effective when compared with similar dose of the Costus afer leaf methanol extract. The investigation indicated that there was 103 mg/dL and 87 mg/dL blood glucose reduction for the low dose of Costus afer and Snail slime respectively while the standard hypoglycemic drug (Glibenclamide, 5 mg/kg) used for comparison yielded a blood glucose level reduction of 103 mg/dL. Similarly, the high dose used in the study gave a blood glucose reduction of 99 mg/dL and 95 mg/dL for Costus afer leaf methanol extract and Snail slime respectively. The results obtained when alloxan induced rats was treated with C. afer leaf methanol extract, Snail slime extract, and combined C. afer and snail slime extracts was analysed using Statistix 8.0 American version. The result showed a dose dependent fashion and the difference obtained from the compared results was statistically significant at p 1]. Still to that, medicinal and pharmacological activities of medicinal plants are often attributed to the presence of the so called secondary plant metabolites. Hence this regenerative capacity of snail slime and the fact that diabetes is characterized by damage of the pancreatic beta cells, may give credit to the hypoglycaemic effect observed in Costus afer methanol leaf extract and snail slime for possible drug formulation for anti-diabetic remedy. Our findings may approve snail slime which is insoluble in both acid and alkaline medium, to act as a carrier of chemical and biological nanoparticles for medical and pharmaceutical use.

Biological activities of gastropods secretions:snail and slug slime

Gastropods,a mollusk class including slugs and snails,represent an extraordinarily diverse and ecologically significant group of organisms featuring the largest class of invertebrates.They can be classified as aquatic and terrestrial animals having coiled shells,although some species have reduced or absent shells.Their unique body structure includes a muscular foot for locomotion,a visceral mass containing essential organs,and a distinct head region with sensory organs such as tentacles and eyes.They are used to secrete a complex mixture of glycoproteins,enzymes,peptides,mucus and other bioactive compounds,namely slime,which represents a tool to allow locomotion,protection,and interaction within different habitats.The biological activities of the slime have attracted considerable interest due to their diverse and potentially valuable properties ranging from defense mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications in wound healing,antimicrobial therapy,management of inflammation,and neurological disorders.This review aims at exploring the beneficial effects of snail and slug slime focusing,in particular,on the improvement of the biological processes underlying them.Continued exploration of the intricate components of these slimy secretions promises to discover new bioactive molecules with diverse applications in various scientific and industrial fields.

Anti-ulcer potentials of phylum mollusca(tropical snail)slime

Objective:The effectiveness of the slimy substance in snail to regenerate and repair damaged areas on it body/shell lead to this investigation.Methods:The anti-ulcer’property of snail slime extracted from phylur mollusca(tropical snail) from the giant African snail Archachatina marginata(Fam.Arionidae) was investi gated using histamine,stress and indomethacin-induced ulcers.The solubility profile of extract was investiga ted in different solvents and at different temperatures.Chemical analysis was carried out to determine the type of constituents present in the slim,while acute toxicity test was carried out to evaluate its profile of toxicity The effect of the snail slim on gastrointestinal motility was investigated in mice,while the guinea pig ileum wa used to study the effect of the extract on contraction produced by acetylcholine and histamine.The snail slim contained copious quantity of protein,with varying amounts of simple sugars,carbohydrates and fats.Th slime was not soluble in most common solvents and increases in temperature,did not appear to increase its sol ubility.Results:The result further indicated that although the snail slime exhibited significant(P【0.05) an ti -ulcer induced by stress and histamine,it was most potent against ulcer induced by indomethacin.The snai slime potently inhibited gastrointestinal movement in mice in a dose-dependent manner;however,it was not a ble to inhibit contraction induced by acetylcholine and histamine in guinea pig ileum.Conclusion:The snai mucin possesses potent antiulcer properties without any toxic effect.The mechanism responsible for the anti-ul cer property may not be postulated with certainty but cytoprotective and anti-spasmodic activities are most likel to be involved.