Snail mucin is one of the animal products widely used in cosmetic products. The mucus of Cornu aspersum (C. aspersum) contains compounds that have antibacterial, antioxidant, proliferative, pro-migration, angiogenesis-promoting, and other biological effects. This study aimed to critically analyze and consolidate existing data on the bioactive components of C. aspersum mucus and the mechanisms of their influence on human health, fo cusing mainly on its cosmetic, regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial proper ties. We conducted a literature search analysis on this problem using the following search databases in English: PubMed, PubChem, Mendeley, Google Scholar, Scirus, DOAL, BASE, CORE, Science.gov, and RefSeek up to August 12, 2025. It was shown that snail mucus facilitates wound healing, which could be the prerequisite for the development of innovative formulations for the adjuvant therapy of skin wounds. However, there are problems with the standardization of snail mucus because of the absence of single quality indexes, their limits, and the complicated structure of snail mucins. Moreover, there is a lack of clinical randomized trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of C. aspersum snail
mucus. In conclusion, snail mucus's biological effects deserve further investigation and pave the way for further studies of its potential as a raw material for pharmaceutical products, including the chemical structure of the still unknown molecules, its standardization, nonclinical and clinical studies, and further studies of snail mucus for its usage in cosmetology.
Keywords: Cornu aspersum mucus; mucin; snail secretions; cosmetology; wounds
The file contains experimental data used in the article «Cytokine Profiles in the Lymphocytes of Patients with Arterial Hypertension and COVID-19» Fomenko Iryna, Biletska Liliia, Sklyarova Helen, 3Sklyarov Eugene, Vari G. Sandor, Kobylinska Lesya
Patient’s blood was used for this study. The control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals. Group 1 included 25 patients with AH admitted to the hospital with a hypertensive crisis, and Group 2 included 25 patients with AH and polysegmental pneumonia associated with coronavirus infection. ELISA determined cytokine levels. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood in a Ficoll density gradient.
Concentrations of the cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-25, and IL-32α) were measured according to the manufacturer’s instructions: Human IL-1 beta ELISA Kit (ab214025), Abcam, Cambridge, UK; for IL-1β; Human IL-2 ELISA Kit (ab270883), Abcam, Cambridge, UK; for IL-2; Human IL-6 ELISA Kit (ab178013), Abcam, Cambridge, UK; for IL-6, Human IL-7 ELISA Kit (ab46031), Abcam, Cambridge, UK; for IL7; Human IL-8 ELISA Kit (ab214030), Abcam, Cambridge, UK; for IL-8; Human IL-25 ELISA Kit (ab272200), Abcam, Cambridge, UK; for IL25 and Human IL-32α ELISA Kit (ab267616), Abcam, Cambridge, UK. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm using a microplate reader (StatFax). The serum level of each cytokine was calculated according to the standard curves and expressed as pg/mL.
Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the effects of anticancer 4-thiazolidinone-based free water-insoluble therapeutics Les-3288 and
Les-3833 and their waterborne complexes with branched PEG-containing polymeric carriers (A24-PEG550 and A24-PEG750) on
immune response.
Methods: Human peripheral blood was used to study in vitro lymphocyte proliferative function, leukocyte phagocytic activity and
respiratory burst, and cytokine production.
Results: The binding of the polymer to the anticancer drug Les-3288, which is intended to mitigate the immunosuppressive effects of the
free drug on the proliferative activity of T lymphocytes and T-dependent B cells, demonstrated comparable efficacy for both A24-PEG750
and A24-PEG550 nanocarriers. Furthermore, it was observed that the drug-polymer complex significantly increased the reduced levels of
IFN-γ and TNF-α resulting from free Les-3288. Conversely, the reduced levels of IL-6 and IL-4 remained unchanged. Administration of
either form of Les-3288 had no effect on the phagocytic activity of monocytes, granulocytes or the respiratory burst of granulocytes. Due to
the reduced cell viability and increased cytotoxicity associated with Les-3833, tenfold lower doses were selected for the immune assays.
The effects of free Les-3833 on lymphocyte proliferative function resulted in significant stimulation of T-dependent B cells. The binding of
Les-3833 to the smaller carrier, A24-PEG550 was found to maintain the stimulatory effect on B lymphocytes. While no effect of free Les3833 on the granulocyte phagocytic activity was observed, binding of Les-3833 to both polymeric carriers resulted in a decrease in
granulocyte phagocytic activity and respiratory burst, with no observable effect on monocytes. Monitoring of cytokine production showed
no significant effect of either form of Les-3833 on the production of IFN-γ and IL-6. In the context of TNF-α and IL-4, the positive effect of
polymer binding on restoring suppressed cytokine levels induced by the Les-3833 free drug was slightly more favorable for A24-PEG750.
Conclusion: The drug complexation with novel PEGylated carriers is a promising way for efficient therapeutic development.
Keywords: anticancer compounds, lymphocytes, phagocytic activity, respiratory burst, cytokines
This review summarizes the scientific knowledge concerning the impact of vitamins, magnesium, and trace elements on various mechanisms contributing to the possible treatment and prevention of COVID-19, including its delayed consequences. A search was conducted in various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.- gov, and Web of Science. Among the main mechanisms involved in the effects of the studied micronutrients, immune-boosting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were also highlighted. The analyzed clinical trials confirmed that supplementation with higher daily doses of some micronutrients can reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load and hospitalization time. The potential role of most known vitamins in preventing, treating COVID-19, and rehabilitating patients was considered. The most promising agents for combating COVID-19 and its consequences might be the following vitamins: vitamin D, ascorbic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and some B complex vitamins. Inorganic elements deserving attention include magnesium and trace elements, such as zinc, selenium, copper, and iron. Some associations were found between micronutrient deficiencies and COVID-19 severity in children, adults, and older people. Patients can obtain the aforementioned micronutrients from natural food sources or as supplements/- drugs in various dosage forms. The reviewed micronutrients might be considered adjunctive treatment strategies for COVID-19 patients.
Keywords: COVID-19; ascorbic acid; copper; fat-soluble vitamins; iron; magnesium; micronutrients; selenium; vitamin B complex; zinc..
In the current economic conditions, an active search is conducted for cost-effective and well-balanced feeds and feed mixtures for fish farming. The development of functional feeds using biomass of wild algae is becoming a central focus in the fish feed production. Although these supplements offer a promising path to sustainable and environmentally friendly fish feeding, their impact on the ecosystem requires detailed research. The aim of the study was to determine the acute response of Daphnia magna to the influence of new feed products derived from the wild algae of the Baltic Sea, phycocyanin on its own, and their binary mixture. The study was conducted using the standard aquatic toxicology method. To establish the 48-hour LC50, the probit analysis method was used. The results showed that D. magna is more sensitive to the effects of phycocyanin, with the following order of toxicity: phycocyanin > the mixture (1:1) > the biomass of Cladophora sp. The median lethal concentrations at 48 h were 100 mg/l, 920 mg/l, and 1720 mg/l, respectively. The obtained data allows to refer the tested compounds to low-hazard substances according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The observed effects were compared with the effects of the mixture noticed in the toxic units (TU) model. In 48 hours, the mixture of the dry biomass of
Cladophora sp. and phycocyanin at a ratio of 1:1 exhibited synergism. The obtained results will allow choosing the optimal ratio of the raw materials used in fish feeds without inflicting harm to the aquatic ecosystem and loss of their nutritional value.