Edible Fresh Water Snail Viviparous Bengalensis Purified Flesh Protein VB-P4 Induced Toxicities and its Protection by Heat Treatment

Nutritional and therapeutic values of the edible gastropod (snail) are well known throughout the world. Earlier from this laboratory, a protein VB-P4 was identified from the edible snail (Vivaparous bengalensis) flesh extract having anti-osteoporosis and antiosteoarthritis activity on albino Wistar rats. The present study was done on the in vivo/in vitro toxicities of VB-P4 and heat treated VBP4 (HT-VB-P4) on experimental animals. The in vivo toxicities of VB-P4/HT-VB-P4 was done in male albino Swiss mice treated for 15 days and assessed through haematological (total count of RBC/WBC, Hb%), biochemical markers (SGOT, SGPT, LDH, CK-MB, urea, creatinine) and histological studies of organs (liver and kidney). The in vitro toxicities of VB-P4/HT-VB-P4 was done on isolated guinea-pig heart/auricle (for cardiotoxicity), isolated rat phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation (for neurotoxicity), haemorrhagic activity (in vivo cutaneous and gastric haemorrhage), haemolytic activity on RBC (mice, rat, guinea-pig and goat) and rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation activity. It was observed that 15 days sub-chronic treatment in male albino mice with VB-P4/HT-VB-P4 did not significantly changed the total count of RBC, WBC and haemoglobin. However, 15 days sub-chronic treatment in male albino mice with VB-P4 significantly increased the liver markers (SGOT, SGPT), myotoxicity markers (LDH, CK-MB) but not the renal markers (Urea, Creatinine). HT-VB-P4 did not significantly change the liver markers (SGOT, SGPT), myotoxicity markers (LDH, CK-MB) and the renal markers (Urea, Creatinine). Histological studies with VB-P4 showed significant changes in liver tissue (fatty infiltration, necrotic lesions, dilated central vein) as compared with the control group of mice. Histological studies with VB-P4 did not show any significant changes in kidney tissue. In vitro cardiotoxicity was shown by VB-P4 on isolated guinea-pig heart but not on isolated guines-pig auricle. VB-P4 significantly decreased the heart rate and amplitude of contraction leading to irreversible blockade of contraction. HT-VB-P4 did not showed cardiotoxicity on the above preparations. VB-P4/HT-VB-P4 did not show neurotoxicity on isoalated rat phrenic-nerve diaphragm preparation. VB-P4 induced cutaneous haemorrhagic spots, gastric lesions in male albino rats through in vivo studies, which was not found with HT-VB-P4 treatment. Histological studies of stomach treated with VB-P4 confirmed the presence of blood, gastric lesions and necrotic spots, which was absent in HT-VB-P4 treatment. In in vitro studies, VBP4 produced haemolysis of RBC (mice, rat, guinea-pig and goat) and degranulated rat peritoneal mast cells, which was absent in case of HT-VB-P4 treatment. The data from this study confirmed that intake of raw snail flesh protein may induce toxicity especially in liver, stomach and RBC. Boiling/cooking before consumption may overcome the toxicities and safe for human consumption.