Biomphalaria glabrata as a possible experimental model for investigating anti-inflammatory substances

This study aims to identify and analyze published studies in which anti-inflammatory or immunoregulatory compounds have been investigated and their effects evaluated using Biomphalaria glabrata as an experimental model. B. glabrata , a mollusk highly susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni , is increasingly being considered a promising model for studying inflammatory processes and screening potential therapeutic agents. Inflammation, although a natural component of the immune response, can become chronic and contribute to the development of various diseases. In this mollusk, hemocytes act as key immune cells, responding to parasitic infections through mechanisms functionally analogous to inflammation in vertebrates. Substances such as hydrocortisone and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) have demonstrated the ability to alter immune responses in B. glabrata , either by suppressing hemocyte function, reducing oxidative stress, or regulating immune signaling pathways. Due to its low maintenance cost, ease of handling, and rapid life cycle, B. glabrata represents a valuable invertebrate model for early-stage screening of immunomodulatory and potentially therapeutic compounds. Overall, this work supports the use of B. glabrata as a viable alternative model in research, contributing to the development of novel anti-inflammatory strategies and reducing the need for early testing in mammalian systems.