Sreeja Lakshmi
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India
Title: Gastropods among frontiers bestowing anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactive leads
Biography
Biography: Sreeja Lakshmi
Abstract
Aging is amenable to the incidence and onset of a plethora of chronic human diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Oxidative stresses followed by inflammatory responses are promising partners in major cases of the aforementioned diseases. Owing to the extreme cost of health care systems to treat these disorders, recent strategies divert the treatment practices towards natural resources where marine bioactive reservoirs play a pivotal role. Mollusks, Seaweeds, Sponges, Ascidians, etc are those among the marine organisms representing untapped resources for medicinally important compounds, with high demand both in scientific research as well as therapeutic applications owing to their novel pharmacological properties which effectively treat or may cure human pathophysiological disorders and thereby promoting health on the flip side. The present study is an attempt to reveal the role of bioactive compounds from gastropods (Babylonia/Murex species) in anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, which will add to the pharmacological applications apart from their commercial demand. It will be interesting to gain informations regarding how the bioactive molecules from gastropods reduce the risk of inflammatory responses for it is a potent contributor for aging as well. The study comprises the extraction and bioassay-guided purification of bioactive leads with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties from screened Babylonia/Murex species. Structural characterization of purified compounds will be done using contemporary spectroscopic techniques like Mass spectrometry. Evaluation of bioactive compounds with respect to anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties will be performed using in vitro, in vivo animal models and human cell lines. Further development of functional food product for use against the target diseases will also be a key part of the study. Despite, various medical practices, cancer still reigns as major dread claiming precious human lives. The cost of the treatment procedures and side effects of medications necessitates today´s situation to seek natural remedies like plants and marine biota as therapeutical sources. Conjointly, the study will be an additive in making gastropods to ramp-up with their bioactive potential particularly against inflammation and cancer.