In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from a marine mollusc

New drug leads for the treatment of inflammation are urgently needed. The main aim of this thesis was to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of the marine mollusc Dicathais orbita. Lipid extracts from the whole body and bromine indoles from the hypobranchial glands showed promising in vitro activity, inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor and prostaglandin 2. The hypobranchial gland extract and 6-bromoisatin blocked the translocation of nuclear factor beta kappa into the nucleus of LPS-stimulated macrophages and prevented the development of acute lung inflammation in mice. Overall, this study identifies the marine whelk D. orbia as a promising source for potential anti-inflammatory nutraceutical development.