Nutritional, Antibacterial and Thrombolytic Prospects of Freshwater Paludomas conica Protein Hydrolysate and Its Anti-Inflammatory Potential in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

Chronic inflammation and heme-iron overload can result from bacterial hemolysis. Along with the synthetic drugs, numerous traditional and functional food approaches are equally trialed to eradicate the problem. As a prospective new source of dietary protein hydrolysates, freshwater mollusks (Paludomas conica) have recently drawn huge interest from researchers. In this research, protein hydrolysate (PhPC) of Paludomas conica, prepared by the enzyme digestion method, was analyzed for proximate nutritional and minerals contents and deciphered its suppressive effects on inflammatory gene expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The inhibitory action of protein denaturation is also unfolded with established in vitro and in vivo models. Anti-hemolytic, antibacterial, and thrombolytic effects of PhPC were respectively assessed by H₂O₂-induced hemolysis of RBCs, the disc diffusion method, and the clot lysis method. The proximate nutritional and mineral contents of PhPC revealed it to be an enriched source of nutrients, crude protein, carbohydrates, Calcium, and Magnesium. Heavy metals were found to be within the prescribed limit. The PhPC suppressed the expression of inflammatory genes, including COX-2, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1, multifold in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The inhibition concentrations (IC₅₀) of PhPC in the bovine serum albumin denaturation inhibition test and membrane stabilization tests were 431.39 and 285.25 μg/mL, respectively. The PhPC was discerned to be active against Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella dysenteriae; its maximum thrombolytic effect was displayed to be 23.72% ± 2.71%. The findings demonstrate that the nutritionally enriched PhPC could be affirmed as an exciting invertebrate anti-inflammatory agent Extending other biological functions needs to be further characterized with its pure protein or protein products.