title: Are the Traditional Medical Uses of Muricidae Molluscs Substantiated by Their Pharmacological Properties and Bioactive Compounds?
abstract: Marine molluscs from the family Muricidae hold great potential for development as a source of therapeutically useful compounds. Traditionally known for the production of the ancient dye Tyrian purple, these molluscs also form the basis of some rare traditional medicines that have been used for thousands of years. Whilst these traditional and alternative medicines have not been chemically analysed or tested for efficacy in controlled clinical trials, a significant amount of independent research has documented the biological activity of extracts and compounds from these snails. In particular, Muricidae produce a suite of brominated indoles with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and steroidogenic activity, as well as choline esters with muscle-relaxing and pain relieving properties. These compounds could explain some of the traditional uses in wound healing, stomach pain and menstrual problems. However, the principle source of bioactive compounds is from the hypobranchial gland, whilst the shell and operculum are the main source used in most traditional remedies. Thus further research is required to understand this discrepancy and to optimise a quality controlled natural medicine from Muricidae.
authors: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, G.P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. Kirsten.benkendorff@scu.edu.au.
authors: Kirsten
authors: K
authors: Benkendorff
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. david.rudd@flinders.edu.au.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rudd
authors: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, G.P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. n.nongmaithem.10@student.scu.edu.au.
authors: Bijayalakshmi Devi
authors: BD
authors: Nongmaithem
authors: Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross University, G.P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. ben.liu@scu.edu.au.
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Liu
authors: Medical Biotechnology, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. Fiona.young@scu.edu.au.|Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. Fiona.young@scu.edu.au.
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Young
authors: Medical Biotechnology, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. Vicki.Edwards@bioinnovationsa.com.au.|Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. Vicki.Edwards@bioinnovationsa.com.au.
authors: Vicki
authors: V
authors: Edwards
authors: School of Health Science, Southern Cross University, G.P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. Cathy.avila@scu.edu.au.
authors: Cathy
authors: C
authors: Avila
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. cathy.abbott@flinders.edu.au.|Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. cathy.abbott@flinders.edu.au.
authors: Catherine A
authors: CA
authors: Abbott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods; D008974:Mollusca / Q000737:chemistry*; D012908:Snails / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001685:Biological Factors
keywords: choline esters; ethnomedicine; indoles; marine natural products; whelk