Additive Effects of Helix aspersa Mucus Fractions with Chemotherapy Drugs in Breast Cancer: Exploring Anti-proliferative Potential

This study investigated the anti-proliferative effects of biologically active substances (BAS) derived from the mucus of the garden snail Helix aspersa on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and a non-cancerous cell line (MCF-10A). Two mucus fractions with different molecular weights (Mw) were examined, and their interactions with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and tamoxifen were evaluated. The results showed that the mucus fractions exhibited a slight anti-proliferative effect on breast cancer cells, with the fraction having Mw above 50 kDa demonstrating stronger activity compared to the fraction with Mw above 20 kDa. Furthermore, the combination of the mucus fractions with cisplatin or tamoxifen resulted in significant reductions in the half effective dose, indicating possible synergistic effects which were more pronounced with the fraction having Mw above 20 kDa. Dose-response curves and microscopic images supported the presence of such effects, revealing lower IC50 values and significant cell death when the cancer cells were treated with the combination of the mucus fractions and chemotherapy drugs. However, the analysis using the (highest single agent) HSA model indicated mostly additive interactions between the mucus fractions and chemotherapy drugs. These findings suggest the potential of biologically active substances derived from Helix aspersa mucus in enhancing the anti-proliferative effects of chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer treatment. The identification of additive interactions provides insights into the development of combination therapies with reduced drug dosage. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the anti-proliferative effects of Helix aspersa mucus fractions and their interactions with chemotherapy drugs, highlighting their potential as novel therapeutic approaches in breast cancer treatment.