Atividade anti-inflamatória, anti-nociceptiva e pro-cicatrizante de uma nova lectina purificada do muco do caramujo Achatina fulica Bowdith 1822

Abstract

The land snail Achatina fulica Bowditch 1822, also known as African giant snail, is an invasive exotic species that was introduced in Brazil for gastronomic purposes. Although considered a plague by destroying plantations, having no predator and being on the list of the 100 most invasive species in the world, studies have shown that mucus of A. fulica has medicinal purposes and also has bactericidal properties, fungicidal activity and proven healing activity. In animals the mucus has immune protection functions, prevents dehydration and helps in movement and reproduction. Such functions are possible by the presence of various mucus macromolecules, including glycoproteins and lectins. Some works have shown the presence of different lectins in Achatina fulica mucus, but since purification a few biological activities were performed with this protein. In this context the present study describes the purification, characterization and evaluation of biotechnological potential of a lectin present in Achatina fulica mucus. The protein was purified on hydrophobic interaction column PhenilSepharose and strongly agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes treated and untreated enzymatically. The purified lectin was called the AFL and shown to be dependent on calcium ions, and remain active between pH 6 to10 and 8 is the optimal pH and its stable over the temperature range of 30 to 40, gradually losing its activity to the temperature 70 ° C and become inactive. It has been demonstrated that the lectin AFL recognizes sialic acid having strong affinity to N-acetylneuraminic acid and KDN, glycan expressed in greater quantity on tumor cells. In the evaluation of biotechnological potential of this lectin, this work shows that the AFL does not have toxicity in a test against Artemia sp. The purified lectin has anti-nociceptive activity, it inhibited the number of writhes induced by acetic acid, the licking time of paw induced by formalin but was not able to inhibited thermal nociception induced by hot plate. Furthermore, it showed potent anti-inflammatory action by inhibition of edema induced by formalin and peritonitis induced by acetic acid. These activities are associated with the carbohydrate binding site. The lectin AFL also showed potent activity in healing wounds surgically induced in mouse model being the first animal lectin to demonstrate these biological activities, which opens a wide field for research for molecules of biotechnological interest.