Research

Advancing Discovery of Snail Mucins Function and Application

Maxwell McDermott et al

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 2021; 9: 734023. Published online 2021 Oct 11

This article extensively discusses the properties and applications of mucins, particularly those derived from snails, in various fields including biomedicine and cosmetics:

• Skin Care and Cosmetic Applications: Snail mucin is highlighted for its role in skin care products, known for reducing inflammation and signs of aging. The current market for snail mucin-based products is growing, with an anticipated value approaching $770 million by 2025.
• Wound Healing Properties: The article notes that snail mucin is used as a wound healing agent. It mentions, “Mucins from the Helix aspersa (Garden Snail) have been shown to help with skin regeneration after acute radiodermatitis,” indicating its potential for enhancing skin repair and regeneration.
• Antimicrobial Properties: The mucin also exhibits antimicrobial activities which could be beneficial in topical applications for skin health. It is effective against several pathogens, potentially reducing infection risks in wound management.
• Biomedical and Biotechnological Research: The research underscores ongoing studies into the application of snail mucin in medicine, including its use in implant coatings and drug delivery systems, showing its broad potential beyond mere cosmetic applications.

Overall, this article concludes that snail mucin is positioned as a promising biopolymer with extensive applicative potential in cosmetics and therapeutic skin treatments, supported by its inherent properties like hydration, lubrication, and microbial protection.

Snail extract for skin: A review of uses, projections, and limitations

Nupur Singh et al

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Apr;23(4):1113-1121. Epub 2024 Mar 1.

This article, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, elaborates on the cosmetic and medical uses of snail mucin. Here are the summarised insights relevant to its benefits for skin and beauty:

1. Skin Care Benefits: Snail mucin is incorporated in various cosmetic products for its anti-aging, hydrating, and anti-acne properties. It is also used for treating scarring and hyperpigmentation, illustrating its diverse dermatological applications.
2. Wound Healing and Other Therapeutic Uses: Beyond cosmetic applications, snail mucin has been investigated for its roles as antimicrobial agents, wound healing agents, and in drug delivery systems. This multifunctionality underscores its therapeutic potential.
3. Market Growth and Economic Impact: The global market for snail mucin-based products is robust, with estimates ranging from $457 million to $1.2 billion, projected to grow in the upcoming decade. This indicates a strong commercial interest and potential for expansion in the cosmetic industry.
4. Research and Clinical Studies: The article calls attention to the predominance of preclinical studies and the urgent need for more comprehensive clinical trials to conclusively establish the benefits and safety of snail mucin.
5. Limitations and Ethical Concerns: It highlights several limitations such as the ethical issues surrounding snail mucin collection, the need for allergy testing, and the scarcity of substantial clinical studies to support the purported benefits.

This review emphasises both the promising potential of snail mucin in dermatology and cosmetics, and the critical need for further research to validate these benefits and ensure consumer safety.

Snail mucin is a functional food ingredient for skin

Yongeun Kim et al

Journal of Functional Foods Volume 92, May 2022, 105053

This article focuses on the emerging use of snail mucin as a nutricosmetic ingredient, advocating its potential in enhancing skin regeneration, hydration, and anti-aging. The study evaluates the photoprotective effects of snail mucin against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin photoaging in hairless SKH-1 mice, which serves as an animal model to simulate human skin responses to UV exposure. This multifaceted research highlights the significant benefits of snail mucin, specifically in combating wrinkles, improving skin hydration and elasticity, and demonstrating the substance’s overall safety for oral consumption without adverse effects on major organs.

Snail mucin is described as a high molecular weight glycoprotein, which plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from external damage. The study’s findings are robust, showing that snail mucin effectively mitigates the physical signs of aging accelerated by UVB exposure, such as wrinkle formation, skin dryness, and loss of elasticity. These results were quantitatively assessed through various scientific methods, including skin replicas, measurement of epidermal thickness, and analysis of collagen integrity.

Particularly noteworthy is the mucin’s ability to inhibit the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-13, enzymes that degrade collagen, thus preventing the structural deterioration that contributes to wrinkle formation. Additionally, snail mucin increases the synthesis of hyaluronic acid by upregulating hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) and reducing hyaluronidase (HYAL) activity, mechanisms crucial for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity.

The safety of snail mucin was another critical aspect of the research, with results showing no significant changes in liver size, body weight, spleen enlargement, or liver enzyme levels in the treated mice, confirming the ingredient’s non-toxicity when administered orally. These findings are paramount, especially considering the growing consumer interest in safe and natural cosmetic and dermatological products.

The broader implications of this research are significant for the cosmetic industry and dermatological science. The study confirms that snail mucin can be a viable oral supplement, not just a topical treatment, to improve skin health and counteract the effects of aging. This suggests a shift towards the use of bioactive compounds that support skin health from within, aligning with trends favouring holistic approaches to beauty and wellness.

Moreover, the research aligns with previous studies that have documented the role of functional foods in enhancing skin condition and fighting photoaging. By demonstrating the specific pathways through which snail mucin exerts its effects—such as modulation of MMP expression and enhancement of hyaluronic acid content—the study provides a scientific basis for the use of snail mucin in preventive skin care.

In conclusion, the article substantiates snail mucin’s potential as a powerful nutricosmetic ingredient that offers multiple benefits for skin health, including anti-aging properties, enhanced hydration, and improved skin elasticity, all without adverse effects. This research could pave the way for new formulations in skincare products, offering consumers innovative solutions for maintaining youthful, healthy skin.

Snails and Skin: A Systematic Review on the Effects of Snail-based Products on Skin Health

Shaliz Aflatooni, BS et al

Journal of Integrative Dermatology, Published online October 31, 2023.

This systematic review, authored by Shaliz Aflatooni and colleagues, rigorously evaluates the clinical efficacy of snail-derived products, specifically focusing on secretions from Cryptomphalus aspersa (SCA) and snail egg extracts (IFC-CAF), in skin rejuvenation and repair. The review encompasses a literature search across PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases, ultimately including 10 studies that demonstrated significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and overall health.

The studies reviewed highlight several beneficial effects of SCA and IFC-CAF on human skin, including enhanced skin hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss, and improved healing post-radiation therapy and fractional laser treatment. These findings are crucial as they substantiate the use of snail-based products in modern cosmeceuticals aimed at improving skin appearance and health.

The introduction of the article sets the stage by acknowledging the historical and ongoing interest in natural products for skin care, noting the ancient use of snail secretions to alleviate inflammation and signs of aging. This historical context enriches the review by linking traditional uses to contemporary scientific validation.

The review details the composition of snail mucus, which includes allantoin and glycolic acid—known for their regenerative properties and ability to enhance skin appearance by stimulating tissue regeneration and acting as an exfoliant. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of SCA, which include superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase, alongside antimicrobial peptides, provide a biochemical foundation for the therapeutic effects observed.

Significant findings from the review include the ability of snail products to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, which is crucial in managing impaired wound healing and regeneration—a common issue in aging skin. Products derived from snail eggs (IFC-CAF) were noted for their role in enhancing the differentiation and migration of skin cells, promoting the production of essential extracellular components like fibronectin and adhesion proteins.

The article also elaborates on the regenerative capabilities of SCA, noting its effect on cell proliferation, migration, and survival, which are mediated through mechanisms like the phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the nuclear localisation of β-catenin.

The clinical implications of these findings are profound. For instance, the review discusses studies where snail-based products led to decreased expression of aging-related markers and increased production of components like collagen, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining the structural integrity and youthfulness of the skin.

In discussing the broader implications, the review stresses the potential for expanded use of snail-based products in both medical and cosmetic fields, suggesting that further large-scale studies could solidify their role in dermatological practice. The authors call for more extensive trials to explore the full range of benefits and possibly establish standardised treatments involving these ingredients.

Overall, the review convincingly argues that snail-derived products hold significant promise for skin care, supported by both historical use and scientific evidence, making a compelling case for their inclusion in anti-aging and skin-repair formulations. This synthesis of evidence not only reinforces the popularity of these ingredients in the cosmeceutical industry but also opens avenues for future research and application in skin health management.

Efficacy and Safety of a New Cosmeceutical Regimen Based on the Combination of Snail Secretion Filtrate and Snail Egg Extract to Improve Signs of Skin Aging

Vanessa Ziying Lim, MBBS et al

J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 Mar; 13(3): 31–36.

The 2020 article from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology by Vanessa Ziying Lim and colleagues presents a comprehensive study on the efficacy and safety of a cosmeceutical regimen based on snail secretion filtrate and snail egg extract. This regimen is aimed at improving signs of skin aging and was evaluated through a robust three-month, single-center, double-blinded, randomised, vehicle-controlled trial.

The study meticulously details the use of two extracts derived from the gastropod Cryptomphalus aspersa: SCA® (secretion filtrate), noted for its fibroblast growth factor-like activity, and IFC®-CAF (cellular activating factor), a snail egg extract known for its skin stem cell activation properties. These components were combined in a skincare regimen tested against a placebo control to ascertain their synergistic anti-aging effects.

The methodology is well-articulated, dividing the treatment into an intensive one-month phase followed by a two-month maintenance phase. Fifty women aged 45–65, showing signs of photoaging, were randomised into two groups: one receiving the active treatment and the other a vehicle as a placebo. The study’s outcomes were meticulously measured through both subjective assessments (using scales like Rao-Goldman and Glogau for wrinkles, and Patient Global Assessment and Investigator Global Assessment for overall skin improvement) and objective parameters (including skin hydration, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss).

Key results from the trial indicate that the active treatment group experienced significant improvements in skin firmness, elasticity, and roughness compared to the placebo group. Both groups noted enhancements in fine lines and wrinkles, but the active treatment group showed superior results in overall skin condition improvements according to both investigator and patient assessments.

The discussion further contextualises the findings by referencing the biological activities of the snail extracts, such as their roles in promoting fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and migration, enhancing extracellular matrix assembly, and reducing matrix metalloproteinase expression. These activities underpin the observed clinical improvements, offering a biological plausibility to the study’s results.

Moreover, the study emphasises the tolerability of the snail extract-based regimen, noting minimal adverse effects and good patient compliance, which is crucial for the practical application of any cosmeceutical product.

In conclusion, the article robustly supports the use of snail secretion filtrate and snail egg extract in combating signs of skin aging, with the results suggesting noticeable improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance. However, it also prudently calls for larger, randomised controlled trials to confirm these preliminary findings and potentially standardise this treatment approach in clinical practice. This study not only adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of biological extracts in dermatology but also highlights the potential of combining traditional ingredients with modern scientific validation to create effective anti-aging skincare solutions.

Molecular Basis for the Regenerative Properties of a Secretion of the Mollusk Cryptomphalus aspersa

A. Brieva et al

Skin Pharmacol Physiol (2008) 21 (1): 15–22.

This article, published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology in 2008, discusses the regenerative properties of the mollusk Cryptomphalus aspersa’s secretion (SCA), particularly focusing on its potential applications in skin care and dermatology.

The study explores several cellular and molecular mechanisms by which SCA exerts its effects on skin tissue. Key points include:

1. Antioxidant Activities: SCA contains activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), which are crucial antioxidants that protect against cellular damage by free radicals.
2. Fibroblast Proliferation: The secretion stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts, which are cells essential for wound healing and skin regeneration.
3. Cytoskeletal Rearrangement: SCA impacts the arrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, an important aspect of cellular structure and function, facilitating improved cellular architecture and function.
4. Extracellular Matrix Assembly: It aids in the assembly of the extracellular matrix, which provides structural support to surrounding cells and is key to tissue regeneration and repair.
5. Regulation of Metalloproteinase Activities: SCA regulates the activities of metalloproteinases, enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix, which is important in controlling the balance of tissue remodeling.

The findings suggest that SCA may be highly beneficial in applications aimed at the regeneration of wounded tissue and could be leveraged in anti-aging and other dermatological treatments to enhance skin health and recovery. The detailed molecular and cellular insights provided by the study contribute significantly to understanding how natural products can be utilised in medical and cosmetic dermatology.