Snail slime is obtained from Helix aspersa Müller and H. aspersa var. maxima. Two types of mucus are obtained: lymosine and cryptosine used in medicine and cosmetology. The aim of the work was to present the method of obtaining snail slime, to analyze its qualitative and quantitative composition and properties on the basis of literature data. This raw material, in addition to antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer properties, also has antioxidant, regenerative, stimulating, moisturizing, nourishing, cleansing, anti-wrinkle and sunscreen properties. This gives the opportunity to widely use the mucus in the cosmetic and medical industries.
Snail slime contains: allantoin, collagen, elastin, glycolic acid, natural peptides and proteins, vitamins A, C and E, as well as antioxidants (including copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn )). The other ingredients are: proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans - including hyaluronic acid, copper peptides and antimicrobial peptides, as well as lactic acid, matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. Snail slime also contains mucin, mitamycin AF, and acachin. Mucin is the main macromolecular component of mucus, which is responsible for its regenerative properties. Mucin contains active antibacterial proteins against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. They were found to be active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa AP9 and Bacillus laterosporus BT271, B. subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of the mucus have been confirmed in in vitro studies. In addition, mucus has an antioxidant effect, and ingredients such as allantoin, hyaluronic acid, polypeptides and proteins have regenerative and stimulating properties. Due to the high content of active substances, snail slime is a raw material that cannot be produced synthetically in a laboratory. The mechanism of action of numerous substances contained in the snail slime is still not well understood. Still, it is used in skin care products, wound healing agents, surgical adhesives, and to treat gastric ulcers. Mucin isolated from snail slime is widely used in chemistry, biology, biotechnology and biomedicine. It affects wound healing, facilitates the formation of new tissues and strengthens the natural regenerative response. Snail slime affects the viability of cells, stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts, and may also participate in the transformation of the extracellular matrix. It increases the migration and expression of cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion molecules in mammalian keratinocytes and fibroblasts. It is also possible to use snail mucus for the reconstruction and repair of bones and teeth, as it increases the expression of osteopontin and NF-KB and induces the expression of common inflammatory genes in pulp cells. Snail slime consists of active substances, which include: heparin sulfate, isolates and calcium. Isolates have an analgesic and antibacterial effect, while calcium is responsible for the proper maintenance of constant parameters in the body. Noothuan et al. found that snail mantle mucus had greater antibacterial activity than leg mucus in both Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta differentia species. Helix aspersa mucus inhibits the production of melanin and the action of tyrosinase. Based on this, it treats melanogenesis and has anticancer properties against human melanoma cells. In Italy, snails are used in the treatment of dermatological diseases, where their mucus is rubbed into the skin to treat inflammation and acne, accelerate wound healing, and treat warts.
Bibliography:
Wargala E, Zalewska A, Sławska M, Kot I. Snail mucus as an innovative ingredient used in the cosmetology and medical industry. Aesth Cosmetol Med. 2023;12(2):45-49. https://doi.org/10.52336/acm.2023.00
