Molecular Insights into the Immunomodulating and Anticancer Mechanisms of Eremina desertorum (Forsskal, 1775) Mucin in HepG-2 and CACO-2 Cells

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Ibrahim A.M.; Atta S.A.; Megahed F.A.K.

Journal: Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Publisher: Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

Publication Date: 1 March 2026

Volume / Issue: Volume 27 / Issue 3

Pages: 831–838

ISSN: 15137368

DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.3.831

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 41793661

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Ibrahim A.M., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Atta S.A., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Megahed F.A.K., Department of Nucleic Acid Research, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnological Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present research is to deeply investigate the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activities of the mucin extracted from Ereminia desertorum snails' mucus against two tumor cell lines; human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) and human colon adenocarcinoma (CACO-2) cells. Both cell lines were treated with Ereminia desertorum snails' mucin and the anti-cancer potential of the mucin was evaluated by the crystal violet assay test and gene expression analysis using reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The extract showed cytotoxic activity on both tumor cell lines however it was more pronounced CACO-2 (IC50: 0.20±0.05 (µl/ml)) than HepG-2 (0.103±0.019 (µl/ml)). Gene expression levels (2-ddct) of the transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α showed increased expression in HepG-2 and CACO-2 cells treated with the mucin extract by (18.38 and 19.14) and (14.38 and 10.69) folds respectively. Apoptotic gene expression (Cas3 and Cas9) in HepG-2 and CACO-2 cells showed increased expression after treatment with the mucin extract by (16.14, and 11.00) and (23.58 and 12.50) folds, respectively. Gene expression levels (2-ddct) of Oncogenic markers (c-myc, Ras, β-catenin, and EGFR) in HepG-2 and CACO-2 cells treated with mucin extract decreased by (0.025, 0.025, 0.047 and 0.040) and (0.064, 0.183, 0.111 and 0.26) folds, respectively. Conclusion: The present study highlighted the anticancer and immunomodulatory activities of the mucin extracted from E. desertorum snails' mucus. This could attract attention to such natural compound as a possible source of a therapeutic product against liver and colon cancers. © This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License.

Keywords

Anti-tumor; Antioxidant; CACO-2; Eremina desertorum; HepG-2; Mucin; Animals; Apoptosis; Caco-2 Cells; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Immunomodulation; Liver Neoplasms; Mucins; immunologic factor; animal; Caco-2 cell line; colon tumor; drug effect; drug therapy; gene expression regulation; Hep-G2 cell line; human; immunology; liver cell carcinoma; liver tumor; pathology

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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