• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.187-194
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• 2017

Peptidoglycan in inserts and mammals is well known to improve biological functions in the host's immune system. However, it is unclear how Peptidoglycan exerted its anti-inflammatory capacity especially in clam worm (Marphysa sanguinea). In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of clam worm extract treated with (PCWE) peptidoglycan (Micrococcus luteus) in RAW264.7 cells were examined by measuring MDA, catalase, SOD, GSH-Px and inflammatory cytokines (nitric oxide, iNOS, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$). PCWE significantly increased the activities of catalase, SOD and GSH-Px and decreased the level of MDA. Interestingly, PCWE induced activities of SOD and GSH-Px more than clam worm extract without peptidoglycan (CWE). In addition, PCWE decreased NO production, iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ better than CWE. Taken together, these results indicate that PCWE has the potential as a natural antioxidant and a therapeutic for inflammation-related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2016

Earth worm (Eisenia andrei) and clam worm (Perinereis linea) have been used as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is unclear how they exerted their physiological effects in macrophages. In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of clam worm extract (CWE) and earth worm extract (EWE) in RAW264.7 cells were examined by measuring MDA, catalase, SOD, GSH-Px and inflammatory cytokines (nitric oxide, iNOS, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$). Treatment with CWE significantly increased the activities of catalase, SOD and GSH-Px in RAW264.7 cells and decreased the level of MDA. Interestingly, treatment with CWE induced more activities of SOD than EWE. In addition, CWE decreased NO production, iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in RAW264.7. The EWE also decreased NO production and iNOS, but increased COX-2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ suggesting that CWE could be better resources for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent than EWE. Taken together, these results indicate that CWE has the potential as a natural antioxidant and a therapeutic for inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1387-1394
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• 2020

Clam worms (Marphysa sanguinea) are a rich source of bioactive components such as the antibacterial peptide, perinerin. In the present study, we explored the physiological activities of a novel NCWPFQGVPLGFQAPP peptide (NCW peptide), which was purified from clam worm extract through high-performance liquid chromatography. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) revealed that NCW was a new peptide with a molecular weight of 1757.86 kDa. Moreover, NCW peptide exhibited significant antioxidant effects, causing a 50% inhibition of DPPH radical at a concentration of 20 μM without showing any cytotoxicity. These were associated with a reduction in the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in LPS-stimulated RAW264. 7 cells. Furthermore, NCW peptide exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages via inhibition of the abnormal production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These anti-inflammatory effects of NCW peptide were associated with the inhibition of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Our results therefore suggest that this novel NCW peptide with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects could be a good therapeutic agent against inflammation-related diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.341-353
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• 2021

Acanthoparyphium shinanense n. sp. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is described from chicks experimentally infected with the metacercariae encysted in 2 brackish water clam species, Ruditapes philippinarum and Coecella chinensis, in the Republic of Korea. The metacercariae were round to oval, armed with 23 collar spines, and 0.216 (0.203-0.226) mm in diameter. From 5 chicks experimentally infected each with 200 metacercariae, 34 juvenile (5-day-old worms) and 104 adult flukes (7-day-old worms) were harvested from their small intestines, with the average worm recovery rate of 13.8%. The adult flukes were 3.18 (2.89-3.55) mm long and 0.68 (0.61-0.85) mm wide, with an elongated, posteriorly tapering body, and a prominent head collar armed with 23 collar spines arranged in a single uninterrupted row. The posterior testis of A. shinanense was longitudinally elongated, which is similar to Acanthoparyphium spinulosum Johnston, 1917 but unique from the other closely related species, including Acanthoparyphium tyosenense Yamaguti, 1939, Acanthoparyphium kurogamo Yamaguti, 1939, and Acanthoparyphium marilae Yamaguti, 1934. The eggs of A. shinanense were larger than those of A. spinulosum, and the anterior extent of 2 lateral groups of vitellaria was slightly more limited in A. shinanense than in A. spinulosum. Molecular analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes revealed low homology with A. spinulosum from USA (96.1% in 5.8S rRNA) and Ukraine (97.9% in 28S rRNA), Acanthoparyphium n. sp. from USA (98.0% in 28S rRNA), and Acanthoparyphium sp. from Australia, Kuwait, and New Zealand. Biological characteristics, including its first intermediate host and natural definitive hosts, as well as its zoonotic capability, should be elucidated.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 1994

Surface ultrastructure of Pawctrema timonnauini developmental stages was studied using a scanning electron microscope. The metacercariae were collected from the marine clam, Topes phiLippinam and juvenile and adult worms were recovered at 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after experimental infection of mice. The metacercariae had a large oral sucker and characteristic lateral projections. Around the lip of the oral sucker many type I and type II sensory papillae were observed, and type III papillae were located symmetrically on the medial side of the lateral projection. Numerous type I papillae were grouped around the genital pore. The tegumental spines were distributed over the worm surface except the lip of the suckers and genital pore. The 1-day old worm had a well-developed ventral sucker, with 6 type II sensory papillae on its outer surface and another 6 type I papillae on the inner side. Two small type I papillae were seen on the anterior side of the ventral sucker. The genital pore was small and opened separately from the ventral sucker and 15 type I papillae were grouped around it. The 2-, 3-. and 7-day worms revealed that as they grew to be adults, the spine tips became multipointed, the genital pore formed a genital atrium, and the cytoplasmic process became well differentiated. In 2- and 3-day worms 10 type II papillae encircling the lip of the oral sucker, and additional 4 papillae at the dorsal side of 4 dorsal type II papillae were a characteristic feature. The distribution pattern of sensory papillae around the oral sucker and genital pore, and 2 type I papillae on the anterior side of the ventral sucker, was so peculiar in R timonnnuini, that they seem to be useful keys for taxonomic differentiation from other gymnophallids.