Studies on biological and enzymatic activities of salivary glands from the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).
Aqueous extracts of salivary glands (Glandula submandibularis and G. parotis) from the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) exhibited neither lethal effect (intraperitoneal injection, mice), nor haemorrhagic and myonecrotic (mice) activity. Of the various enzymes tested (kallikrein, casein hydrolysis, phospholipase A2, acid and alkaline phosphatase, alpha-amylase), both glands possessed alkaline phosphatase and alpha-amylase activity only. These experiments suggest that toxic saliva in mammals is restricted to certain insectivores (shrews and solenodons) only.
Mebs
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Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, University of Frankfurt, Germany. mebs@em.uni-frankfurt.de
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000502:physiology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009336:Necrosis; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis
D014020:Tissue Extracts; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000516:alpha-Amylases