LAISHRAM LENIN SINGH, LAKSHMIKANTA KHUNDRAKPAM, BIJAYALAKSHMI DEVI NONGMAITHEM, LAIPHRAKPAM PINKY CHANU, KHANGEMBAMBRAJAMANI MEETEI AND AJIT KUMAR NGANGBAM*
School of Biological Sciences, Manipur International University, Imphal-795 140 (Manipur), India
*(e-mail: ajikumarng83@gmail.com; Mobile: 94852 27590)
(Received: June 15, 2025; Accepted: July 23, 2025)
ABSTRACT
Traditional medicinal practices in North-east India particularly Manipur have long utilized several species of freshwater snails including Brotia costula for treating skin ailments, wound healing and bone-related disorders. This study aimed at chemically profile the bioactive compounds present in B. costula using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC- MS) to support its ethno-medicinal relevance. Solvent extracts using chloroform and methanol were prepared from the edible tissue including muscular foot and visceral tissues of B. costula. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of biomedical important compounds such as hesperidin, linoleic acid, chitin, perlolyrine, capsidiol and maslinic acid known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and wound healing properties. GC-MS analysis further revealed the presence of octacosanol, tetracosane, 1-hexacosanol, pentacosane, eicosane and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, many of which have antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities. Several other bioactive compounds with unknown bioactivity were also detected during this study. This study showed the rich chemical diversity and bioactive potential of B. costula, hence supporting its use in traditional medicine and highlighting its importance as a sustainable source for therapeutic and functional food development.
Key words: Freshwater gastropods, functional food, natural product profiling, nutraceuticals, traditional medicine