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Cited by 3Advanced Drug Delivery SystemsMicroencapsulation and Drying ProcessesDrug Solubulity and Delivery Systems

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From nature to medicine: snail slime-based functional excipients for oral dosage forms

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Cabibbo, Marta, Scialabba, Cinzia, Drago, Salvatore Emanuele, Craparo, Emanuela Fabiola, Cavallaro, Gennara·2025·International Journal of Pharmaceutics
DOI 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125914
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Abstract

Snail slime, well-known for its outstanding benefits in wound healing and skin disorders, is just beginning to be investigated for its potential in treating gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. This study presents novel microparticle-based powders as functional excipients for oral dosage forms, produced via spray-drying (SD) of Helix Aspersa Muller snail mucus combined with pectin and starch. Two formulations were developed: SS_SD_40 (40 wt% slime, 60 wt% pectin/starch 1:1) and SS_SD_20 (20 wt% slime, 80 wt% pectin/starch 1:1). Pure slime showed low yield (17.4 % w/w) and high stickiness, whereas blending with pectin and starch improved yields up to 50 %. The resulting powders had well-defined microparticles with diameters of 9.70 μm and 7.56 μm. HPLC analysis confirmed allantoin preservation (>94 % recovery). SS_SD_40 and SS_SD_20 displayed acceptable flowability as a pharmaceutical grade powder, low water content, and mucoadhesiveness under simulated GI conditions. Antioxidant tests revealed dose-dependent radical scavenging, with SS_SD_20 achieving up to 60 % higher activity and lowest IC 50 than the other investigated samples. Anti-inflammatory effects, assessed by BSA denaturation, were strongest for SS_SD_40 (∼90 % inhibition at 2.5 mg/ml and lowest IC 50 that the other samples). Both samples showed no cytotoxicity towards Caco-2 cells and reduced IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. The synergistic combination of snail slime, pectin, and starch produced multifunctional, biocomp…

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Metadata

Authors
Cabibbo, M., Scialabba, C., Drago, S. E., Craparo, E. F., & Cavallaro, G.
Affiliations
University of Palermo (IT)
Corresponding author
Craparo, Emanuela Fabiola
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-09
Volume
682
Pages
125914
ISSN
0378-5173 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125914
OpenAlex
W4411868338
Cited by
3
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2
FWCI
1.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Nova Science Publishers (Nova Science Publishers, Inc.) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Microencapsulation and Drying Processes
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Drug Solubulity and Delivery Systems
Keywords
snail slime, Helix aspersa, functional excipients, oral dosage forms, spray drying, pectin, starch, allantoin, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, mucoadhesion, Caco-2 cytotoxicity
MeSH terms
Spray Drying, Administration, Oral, Animals, Antioxidants, Drug Compounding, Excipients, Helix, Snails, Humans, Particle Size, Pectins, Powders, Starch, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, Caco-2 Cells

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