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Cited by 4Angiogenesis and VEGF in CancerZebrafish Biomedical Research ApplicationsLymphatic System and Diseases

Pro-Angiogenetic Effects of Purified Extracts from Helix aspersa during Zebrafish Development

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Zizioli, Daniela, Mastinu, Andrea, Muscò, Alessia, Bonini, Sara Anna, Finazzi, Dario, Avisani, Rosaria, Kron Morelli, Giovanni Battista, Pecorelli, Sergio +1 more·2022·Current Issues in Molecular Biology
DOI 10.3390/cimb44080232PMC PMC9406997
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Abstract

Helix aspersa is a species of land snail belonging to the Helicidae family, widespread in the Mediterranean and continental area up to Northern Europe. In some areas it is appreciated as a food, but is mostly considered a parasite of gardens and cultivated fields. The mucus of Helix aspersa has found multiple applications in the cosmetic and health fields. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the angiogenetic properties of purified extracts from Helix aspersa using a transgenic zebrafish line Tg (kdrl:EGFP). The angiogenesis induced by purified snail extracts was demonstrated by their capability to increase the three well-established parameters of angiogenesis: generation of intersegmental vessels, modeling of caudal venous plexus, and formation of sub-intestinal venous plexus. The effects appeared to be mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, being prevented by pretreatment of embryos with the selective VEGF receptor antagonist SU5416, and supported by the increased VEGF mRNA levels found in snail-extract-treated embryos. Insufficient vascular supply is underlined by low VEGF signaling, primarily because of its indispensable role in preventing capillary loss. Our findings might have a pharmacological impact by counteracting VEGF hypofunction and promoting angiogenesis to maintain adequate microvascular and vascular density in normal and suffering tissues and organs.

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  • Studies concerning angiogenesis indicate that snail mucus has different mechanisms of impact on the wound-healing process.

    “In addition, the studies concerning angiogenesis [21,70,74,75,76] indicate that snail mucus has different mechanisms of impact on the wound-healing process.”

    From Chemical Variability and Biological Potential of Cornu aspersum Mucus as a Source for the Development of New Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Products (2025) · cites this paper as [74]

    The Introduction links angiogenesis to wound healing and tissue repair, and Results and Discussion §3.3 reports that purified H. aspersa extracts promoted angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos, apparently involving VEGF signaling. The paper does not test wound healing or establish different mechanisms by which snail mucus affects that process. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The mucus contains substances capable of increasing VEGF expression, which promotes angiogenesis.

    “Therefore, the mucus contains substances capable of increasing VEGF expression, which promotes angiogenesis [74].”

    From Chemical Variability and Biological Potential of Cornu aspersum Mucus as a Source for the Development of New Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Products (2025) · cites this paper as [74]

    The Conclusions report increased vegfa mRNA in snail-extract-treated zebrafish embryos and say the results suggest that H. aspersa mucus contains substances that increase Vegf expression and promote angiogenesis. The citing sentence presents that suggested conclusion as an established fact; the responsible substances had not been identified. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Purified snail extract induced angiogenesis in transgenic Danio fish model.

    “The purified snail extract also induced angiogenesis in the transgenic Danio fish model, a useful experimental model for the study of the mechanisms controlling the formation of vasculature structures.”

    From Chemical Variability and Biological Potential of Cornu aspersum Mucus as a Source for the Development of New Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Products (2025) · cites this paper as [74]

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Cited by

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Authors
Zizioli, D., Mastinu, A., Muscò, A., Bonini, S. A., Finazzi, D., Avisani, R., Kron Morelli, G. B., Pecorelli, S., & Memo, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Brescia (IT)
  • Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia (IT)
  • KMS soc.agr.srl, via Campagnole di sopra 8, 25020 Brescia, Italy
Corresponding author
  • Mastinu, Andrea
  • Memo, Maurizio
ORCID
Venue
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-07-27
Volume
44
Issue
8
Pages
3364-3377
ISSN
  • 1467-3037 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-3045
DOI
10.3390/cimb44080232
PMC
PMC9406997
OpenAlex
W4288060466
Cited by
4
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2
FWCI
0.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Issues in Molecular Biology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Institutional Research Information System (Università degli Studi di Brescia) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Funders
University of Brescia
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Lymphatic System and Diseases
Keywords
Helix aspersa, angiogenesis, VEGF signaling, intersegmental vessels, microvessel density, capillary loss

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