The Effect of Snail Mucin on the Ulcer Healing Rate of Clarithromycin

Abstract

The effect of mucin on the ulcer-healing rate of clarithromycin has been investigated. The snail mucin extract was obtained from the giant African snail, Achatina achatina (Family Arionidae). The mucin was precipitated with acetone, collected and air-dried. Ulcers were induced with indomethacin in rats. The ulcer-healing rate was determined for clarithromycin alone, mucin alone and the combination of both. The control group did not receive any of the drugs. The results showed that the healing rate of clarithromycin alone was less than the healing rate achieved with clarithromycin and mucin combinations. The healing rate increased with increasing concentration of mucin. It was also observed that the ulcer-healing rate of mucin alone was higher than the healing rate of clarithromycin alone.

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

“…For deep partial thickness facial burns, Helix aspersa extract had lower times for eschar detachment and burn surface epithelization in comparison to moist exposure burn ointment 40 . Similar to burns, gastric ulcers were also healed at a faster rate when clarithromycin was combined with mucin from the giant African snail 41 . In mice with experimentally induced testicular damage and intestinal inflammation via carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), Eremina desertorum snail mucin provided notable antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects as evidenced by histopathology 42 .…”

“…40 Similar to burns, gastric ulcers were also healed at a faster rate when clarithromycin was combined with mucin from the giant African snail. 41 In mice with experimentally induced testicular damage and intestinal inflammation via carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), Eremina desertorum snail mucin provided notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as evidenced by histopathology. 42 Airway epithelium has also seen benefit from snail mucin in which helcidine extracted from Helix pomatia was seen to relax the trachea via release of prostaglandin E2, suggesting a potential broncho-relaxant and antitussive agent.…”

Snail Mucus Protective Effect on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Mice

“…The regenerative capacity of snail mucus against their own shell and skin injuries attracted human attention, and it has been traditionally used therapeutically against gastrointestinal ulcers since ancient Greece [ 6 , 7 ]. Nowadays, studies have demonstrated the protective effect of mucus from the giant African snail in different models of gastric ulcers: induced by indomethacin, histamine, and prolonged exposure of the experimental mice to cold [ 8 , 9 ]. The results show a pronounced beneficial effect, likely due to the cytoprotective and antispasmodic action of the mucus.…”

Advancing Discovery of Snail Mucins Function and Application

“…Many companies have turned to natural products to counteract these side effect, and Mucin have been shown to treat peptic ulcers, a side effects caused by NSAIDs ( Drina, 2017 ). A combination of the antibiotic, clarithromycin, and A. fulica mucin has shown positive results in treatment of peptic ulcer disease ( Mu et al, 2008 ; Kabakambira et al, 2018 ). In addition to anti-ulcer properties, the healing rate of ulcers increased with concentration of mucin and was faster than clarithromycin alone.…”