Malacology and Pharmacology: An Integrated Approach with Special Emphasis on Marine Realm

Marine environment has tremendous potential to meet the demands of pharmacological industries rendering large array of bio-active compounds. This chapter deals with the role of molluscs in amelioration of various physical impairments and disorders. The phylum mollusca is the second largest invertebrate phylum, comprising 80,000 existing species. Their extraordinary adaptive radiation has not only rendered the phylum with taxonomic diversity but has brought forth considerable morphological, ecological, physiological and behavioural variation. This implies their extensive physiological plasticity and hence potential biochemical productivity. This truth is conjectured to be well excogitated by our ancestors and reflected through the vogues and rituals involving large to small molluscan shell usage. Moreover, presence of various mollusc shells is deep rooted in many healing practices like Ayurveda. As per the recent discoveries, the phylum mollusca indeed serves as a treasure of bio-active compounds such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds. Furthermore, molluscs have also proven a potential source of remedies to cure cardio-vascular diseases producing compounds like glycosaminoglycan. Hence, the phylum seizes essential attention of pharmacologists, malcologists and conservationists, too.