Studies on biological and enzymatic activities of salivary glands from the European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus)

Abstract

Aqueous extracts of salivary glands (Glandula submandibularis and G. parotis) from the European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus) exhibited neither lethal effect (intraperitoneal injection, mice), nor haemorrhagic and myonecrotic (mice) activity. Of the various enzymes tested (kallikrein, casein hydrolysis, phospholipase A 2, acid and alkaline phosphatase, α-amylase), both glands possessed alkaline phosphatase and α-amylase activity only. These experiments suggest that toxic saliva in mammals is restricted to certain insectivores (shrews and solenodons) only.