Objectives:The aim of the present research is to elucidate the anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities of the mucin extracted from Ereminia desertorum snails´ mucus against two types of tumor cell lines; human colon adenocarcinoma (CACO-2) cells and human hepatoma (HepG-2) cells. Methods: Both cell lines were treated with Ereminia desertorum snails´ mucin and the oxidative markers were measured in culture media and cells by biochemical and gene expression analysis using RT-PCR. The tumor suppressor gene expression was also evaluated using RT-PCR. Results: The culture media of HepG-2 or CACO-2 cells treated with the extract have high significant increased levels of catalase, SOD, GSH and total antioxidants. Apart from SOD in CACO-2 cells that didn't differ from untreated cells. Also, Gene expression levels (2 ^-ddct ) of the antioxidant markers in HepG-2 cells; GSTA-1, catalase, SOD, and GPx increased in mucin-treated cells. Also, these antioxidant genetic markers were up-regulated in CACO-2 cells by treatment with mucin extract. Gene expression levels (2 ^-ddct ) of tumor suppression genes (p53, Rb, APC, and PTEN) in both HepG-2 and CaCO-2 cells were increased in mucin extract-treated cells. Conclusion: The present study highlighted the anti-oxidant and the anti-cancer activities of the mucin extracted from E. desertorum snails´ mucus that could attract attention to such natural product as a possible source of therapeutic compounds against liver and colon cancers.

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Introduction: Malignant ascites results from imbalance between protein in the peritoneal cavity and absorption of fluids via the lymphatic system. More than twenty interleukins are known to play an important role in the protection against tumors. Materials and methods: Ascitic fluid IL1B, IL2, IL4, IL6, IL10, TNFα, and IFNγ levels were assessed in forty-five patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites as judged by histopathological and ultra-sonographic findings. They were divided into two groups according to presence of hepatic focal lesions. Ten patients with focal hepatic lesions were randomly selected and subjected to analysis of serum levels of IL2 and IL10. Results: Ascitic fluid IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma than patients with cirrhosis. TNFα, and IFNγ were also found to be higher in hepatocellular carcinoma than patients with cirrhosis but with no significance. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in levels of IL1B and IL2 between the two groups. Ascitic fluid IL2 and IL10 levels were found to be higher in ascitic fluid than in serum of the same patients. Conclusion: Ascitic fluid levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 are higher in hepatocellular carcinoma patients than patients with cirrhosis alone. Levels of ascitic fluid IL2 and IL10 were proved to be a better prognostic tool than their levels in sera of the same patients. To conclude; patients with cirrhosis may be subjected to schedualed examination of ascitic fluid cytokine to predect transformation into hepatocellular carcinoma.

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