Snail Slime Extracted by a Cruelty Free Method Preserves Viability and Controls Inflammation Occurrence: A Focus on Fibroblasts

Abstract

Snail slime (SS) is a viscous secretion obtained from different snail species. SS composition is variable according to factors such as the extraction method. Even if several papers have been published regarding this topic, the molecular mechanisms at the base of SS biological effects remain unexplored. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the capability of SS, extracted with the cruelty-free Muller method, to promote viability and angiogenesis processes and, in parallel, to counteract inflammation occurrence on skin cell populations. SS was administered to keratinocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts, then cell viability, through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, cytotoxicity by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, morphology by haematoxylin-eosin staining, gene and protein expression through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, cell cycle phases by flow cytometry, and collagen secretion using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, were measured. Our results evidence SS capability to promote fibroblast viability and to trigger recovery mechanisms by activating the Erk protein. Moreover, an appreciable anti-inflammatory effect due to the significant reduction in cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and a positive modulation of new blood vessel formation demonstrated by increased Angiopoietin 1 gene expression and a higher matrix deposition (evidenced by the augmented amount of released collagen I) can be identified. This evidence led us to assume that the Muller method extracted-SS represents a valuable and promising natural product suitable for cosmetic and skin care formulations.

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Microbial Properties of Extracts from Wine Lees Waste of Matelica’s Verdicchio and Their Applications in Novel Cosmetic Products

“…After 48 h, the cell viability level appeared significantly reduced with respect to the control, when 20% SWLs was administered, while, after 72 h, HGFs exposed to 5, 10 and 20% SWLs disclose a statistically significant reduction of cell viability with respect to untreated cells ( Figure 8 A). The obtained results underline the fact that very high SWL percentages (10 and 20%) could lightly affect HGF viability, thus suggesting, as already evidenced elsewhere [ 34 ], on the importance of continuing SWL biological evaluations with lower concentrations (1 and 5%), in order to totally preserve HGF viability. To conclude, LDH release within the culture medium was evaluated, finding, after 24 h of treatment, a significant augmentation of released LDH% in 20%-treated HGFs with respect to untreated cells, while, after 72 h, a statistically significant reduction of released LDH% was disclosed in HGFs exposed to 1% SWls ( Figure 8 B).…”

“…HaCaT cell line was cultured in DMEM high glucose supplemented with 10% of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% of penicillin/streptomycin. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were extracted as previously reported [ 34 ] , after having received the approval of the Local Ethical Committee of the University of Chieti (Chieti, Italy; approval number. 1173, approved on 31 March 2016).…”

Gastropod Slime-Based Gel as an Adjustable Synthetic Model for Human Airway Mucus

“…Snail slime was purchased from Lumacheria Italiana Srl (Cherasco, Italy), obtained from H. aspersa adult snails and using the cruelty-free Muller method. 42 The pH of the slime as obtained is about 3.4. The pH of the sample is adjusted to the desired value using a solution of 1 M NaOH (reagent grade, ≥98%, pellets, Sigma-Aldrich, USA) in deionized water.…”

“…Additionally, snails can be farmed, and stimulated to produce slime on demand, for instance with the cruelty-free Muller method. 42 Snail slime is therefore a more accessible source of mucus than mammal mucus, which is only found in inner organs.…”

“…Particularly, research efforts have enlightened the biochemical and structural composition of snail mucus, , and it was found that glycoproteins available in these mucus create 3D networks thanks to reversible and irreversible bonds, also found in native mucus (i.e., ion bridges, hydrogen and disulfide bonds). Additionally, snails can be farmed, and stimulated to produce slime on demand, for instance with the cruelty-free Muller method . Snail slime is therefore a more accessible source of mucus than mammal mucus, which is only found in inner organs.…”