Pharmacological effects of the giant African snail Achatina fulica.

The body fluid and tissue extract of the foot of Achatina fulica, the edible giant African snail, were investigated and quantified for pharmacological effects. Both reduced spontaneous locomotor activity in mice, protected them from death from amphetamine induced toxicity, prolonged hexobarbitone sleeping time and caused a depletion of catecholamines from various organs of the rat. From this a central depressant action combined with an antihypertensive effect is inferred. This is in keeping with the objectives of local traditional healers who use the snail on their patients. It is suggested that eledoison, a potent antihypotensive agent found in aquatic snails may also be present in terrestrial snails such as Achatina.