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Nanotechnology has been used to apply nanoparticle essential elements to enhance the ability of animals to absorb these elements and consequently improve their reproductive performance. High concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs) can directly harm a range of aquatic life forms, ultimately contributing to a decline in biodiversity. Helisoma duryi snails are a good model for studying the toxicological effects of bulk zinc oxide (ZnO‐BPs) and nano zinc oxide (ZnO‐NPs) on freshwater gastropods. This study aimed to compare the toxic effects of ZnO‐BPs and ZnO‐NPs on H. duryi snails and explore how waterborne and dietary exposure influenced the reproductive performance of this snail. ZnO‐BPs and ZnO‐NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray powder (XRD). This study revealed that the size of ZnO‐BPs and ZnO‐NPs were 154 nm and 11–31 nm, respectively. The results showed that exposure of adult snails to sub‐lethal concentrations of both ZnO forms (bulk and nano) for 24 h/week for 4 weeks markedly changed their reproductive performance in a concentration‐dependent manner, where fecundity was negatively affected by high concentrations. It was concluded that dietary exposure to the lowest tested concentration of ZnO‐NPs (1 ppm) has a positive effect as the number of eggs and egg masses/snails increased and the incubation period decreased. Also, poly‐vitelline eggs (The formation of twins) were observed. ZnO‐NPs at low concentrations positively affect the reproductive performance of snails, especially after dietary exposure. The results revealed that 1 ppm ZnO‐NPs could be supplementary provided to snails to improve their fertility, reduce the developmental time course, increase hatchability percentage, and produce poly‐vitelline eggs. Research Highlights: ZnO‐NPs at low concentrations have positive effects on the reproductive performance of H. duryi snails, especially after dietary exposure.One ppm ZnO‐NPs could be supplementary provided to snails for improving their fertility, reducing the developmental time course, increasing hatchability percentage, and producing poly‐vitelline eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snail mucus provides several functions and is increasingly being exploited for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. This study aimed to determine the chemical profile of two snail mucus extracts: the garden snail (Helix aspersa) and the desert snail (Eremina desertorum). In addition, it elucidates the antityrosinase, antioxidant, and anticancer activities against the human cancer cell line epithelioid carcinoma (Hela). The mucus was extracted from the pedal glands of garden snails (H. aspersa) and desert snails (E. desertorum). 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay and the content of catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione were utilized to assess the antioxidative screening activity of the mucus extracts. Besides a tyrosinase inhibitor assay, anticancer activity on cervical cancer cells (Hela) was studied. Additionally, the two mucus samples' total protein, total lipid, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles were compared. The mucus from both snails exhibited antioxidant activity. E. desertorum is more effective in inhibiting tyrosinase activity and has better scavenging activity than H. aspersa mucus extract. Both extracts revealed inhibitory activity against Hela cells, with insignificant differences. Moreover, the results indicated higher protein, lipids, and fatty acids mucus content of E. desertorum extract than those of H. aspersa mucus extract. Both snail slimes' obtained different biological activities, and amino acid contents could be related to their specific functions and beneficial for medical applications, especially antihyperpigmentation. Research Highlights: Mucus from Egyptian land snails, Eremina desertorum, and Helix aspersa are a source for discovering novel drugsE. desertorum mucus has better scavenging activity than H. aspersa mucusMucus extracted from E. desertorum is more effective in inhibiting tyrosinase activity than H. aspersaE. desertorum mucus extract contains higher protein, lipids, and fatty acids content than H. aspersa [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Experimental Biology (Zoology) is the property of Egyptian Society of Experimental Biology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Experimental Biology (Zoology) is the property of Egyptian Society of Experimental Biology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)