HelixComplex snail mucus exhibits pro-survival, proliferative and pro-migration effects on mammalian fibroblasts

C. aspersum mucus facilitates snail feeding, locomotion on different surfaces, skin protection, hydration, adhesion, defense against infection and predators, and mate attraction for reproduction.

“The mucus facilitates snail feeding, locomotion on different surfaces, skin protection, hydration, adhesion, and defense against infection and predators, or even to attract mates for reproduction [10,11,27].”

Garden snail mucus consists of 90-99% water and glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid), allantoin, metalloproteins containing copper, zinc, iron, and manganese, glycoproteins, polyphenols, various enzymes, peptides, proteins, different vitamins, glycolic acid, etc.

“The garden snail mucus consists of 90–99% water and glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid), allantoin, metalloproteins containing copper, zinc, iron, and manganese, glycoproteins (mucin, lectin, and mitomycin), polyphenols, various enzymes, peptides, proteins, different vitamins, glycolic acid, etc.”

Different authors provide somewhat or even quite different criteria of acceptability for standardization of snail mucus from H. aspersa.

“Concerning the standardization of snail mucus from H. aspersa, it is worth paying attention to the fact that different authors [27,28,29,33,37] provide somewhat or even quite different criteria of acceptability (Table 1).”

It was noted that the skin of workers became softer after contact with snail secretions during cleaning and manual handling of the animals, and small cuts healed quickly, without infection or scarring.

“It was noted that the skin of workers became softer after contact with snail secretions during cleaning and manual handling of the animals. In addition, small cuts healed quickly, without infection or scarring [12,27,30,62,65].”

Fibroblast migration and proliferation, macrophage differentiation, and neovascularization are observed during wound repair.

“In addition, fibroblast migration and proliferation, macrophage differentiation, and neovascularization are observed during wound repair [27,62].”

C. aspersum mucus showed a higher proliferative capacity compared to glycolic acid used as a positive control; fibroblast proliferation induced by the Helix Complex was comparable to, or even higher than, that induced by glycolic acid.

“The mucus showed a higher proliferative capacity compared to glycolic acid, used as a positive control. The fibroblast proliferation induced by the Helix Complex was comparable to, or even higher than, that induced by glycolic acid in terms of fibroblast proliferation [27].”

IR analysis of C. aspersum mucus revealed absorbance peaks at 3250 cm−1 related to hydroxylic groups of hydrophilic amino acids, 3000-3200 cm−1 defined by aromatic overtone, and peaks at 1645 cm−1 and 1540 cm−1 related to amide bonds indicating proteins.

“The absorbance peak at 3250 cm−1 was related to hydroxylic groups of hydrophilic amino acids. The area between 3000 and 3200 cm−1 is defined by aromatic overtone due to aromatic amino acids. The peaks at 1645 cm−1 and at 1540 cm−1 are related to amide bonds that indicate the presence of proteins [27].”

A significant increase in number of cells was recorded in mouse and human fibroblast cultures when exposed to snail mucus extract for 48 h and 72 h at 400 μg/mL compared to untreated cells.

“A significant increase in the number of cells was also recorded in the mouse and human fibroblast cultures when exposed to snail mucus extract for 48 h and 72 h at a dose of 400 μg/mL compared to the untreated cells.”

The effects on proliferation, migration, and wound healing remained unchanged after long storage (9 months) and several freezing/thaw cycles, indicating stability of snail mucus.

“Importantly, the effects on proliferation, migration, and wound healing remained unchanged after a long storage period (9 months) and several freezing (−80 °C)/thaw cycles, which indicated the stability of snail mucus, which is important for the pharmaceutical industry.”

Fibroblasts secrete cytokines involved in wound repair, collagen, and elastin.

“In general, fibroblasts secrete different cytokines involved in wound repair [27], collagen, and elastin [30].”

A faster closure of the scratch and a significantly higher number of cells in the scratch area were observed in cultures exposed to HelixComplex (400 μg/mL) compared to control cultures.

“A faster closure of the scratch and a significantly higher number of cells in the scratch area were observed in the cultures exposed to HelixComplex (400 μg/mL) with respect to control cultures [27].”

Trapella et al. (2018) suppose that a synergistic activity of various molecules of snail mucus can induce proliferation and migration of fibroblasts in in vitro wound repair.

“Trapella et al. (2018) suppose that a synergistic activity of various molecules of snail mucus can induce the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts in in vitro wound repair.”

HelixComplex promoted cell migration and wound-healing by inducing release of IL-8, together with other unidentified factors.

“HelixComplex promoted cell migration and the wound-healing process by inducing the release from treated cells of IL-8, together with other still unidentified factors.”