Abstract

Objective: To study the biochemical and biomedical properties of predatory gastropod Conus betulinus venom. Methods: Molecular weight of the crude venom extract was determined by using SDS-PAGE. Toxicity studies were carried out using haemolytic and brine shrimp lethality assays. Fibrin plate assay and substrate SDS-PAGE were used to determine the effect of sample on fibrin(ogen) olytic and proteolytic activity. The FTIR characterisation and chemical fingerprinting of amino acid were done with HPTLC. Enzymatic activities like phospholipase and hyaluronidase were measured spectrophotometrically and calculated in units. Anticancer screening was carried out by MTT assay. Results: Studies on this deadly venom revealed six different molecular weight proteins of medical significance ranging between 20.0 kDa and 97.4 kDa. The protein content was estimated as 0.9 mg/ mL. Haemolytic activity in erythrocytes was recorded and LC50 (Artemia) at 31.5 µg/mL. Further the venom showed considerable enzymatic properties like gelatinolytic, caesinolytic, fibrinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities. The hyaluronidase and phospholipase activities were recorded at meagre range. The venom exhibited significant activity against HeLa cell lines. Moreover the evolution of venom is the crucial nature of Conus peptides in their challenging ecosystem. Periodical study on these peptides will unveil more peptides of biomedical use. Conclusions: Although quite a lot of works have dealt with paralytic effects of Conus venom, it still remains as an unexplored cocktail with promising molecules for drug development.

Authors and Affiliations