Natural anti-cancer compound found in sea snail can ultimately reduce the risk of developing cancer, reveals a new study.

‘Sea snail compound shows promise to fight against cancer. A new study suggests that a colorful purple compound produced by a small Australian sea snail can pave the way for developing a new drug to prevent colorectal cancer tumors.’
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A team of researchers at Flinders University, Southern Cross University and Monash University in Australia have isolated one compound in the gland secretions from the Australian white rock sea snail (Dicathasis orbita) which has not only antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, but important anti-cancer properties.Read More..





"After a decade of work, we have found an active compound derived from the substance produced by the mollusc's gland which could be used as a preventative in bowel cancer," says senior lead scientist Professor Catherine Abbott from Flinders University. "We're very excited about these latest results and hope to attract investment from a pharma company to work on a new drug to reduce development of colorectal cancer tumors."
Using the latest mass spectrometry technology, the research team has been able to pinpoint the lead active compound which, in future, could be put to good work.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of the 9.6 million cancer deaths every year, with the World Health Organization reporting 862,000 deaths in 2018.
Natural compounds from marine and terrestrial plants and animals are valuable sources of current and future medicines for human health, says Southern Cross University marine scientist Professor Kirsten Benkendorff, who is also researching the potential of replicating the snail species' anti-inflammatory compound.
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Along with tracking the active compound inside the body to confirm it reaches the colon where it has the anti-tumor effect - which is important for oral drug delivery - the snail compound comes from a class of compounds called "indoles" which are commonly found in both natural plant medicines and some pharmaceuticals.
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"This research is very important for understanding the safety of these types of natural compounds for human medicine."
Source-Eurekalert