Snail mucus: The slimy secret to fighting bacterial infections

[CharlieH]

In a world where antibiotic resistance is becoming a major health crisis, scientists are constantly on the hunt for new and effective treatments. One promising discovery comes from an unexpected source: snail mucus. Researchers have found that mucus from the garden snail, Cornu aspersum, contains powerful antibacterial properties. This slimy secretion could be a game-changer in the fight against harmful bacteria.

The antibiotic resistance crisis

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that many bacterial strains are becoming resistant to conventional antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health. This resistance is fueled by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture. As bacteria evolve to withstand these drugs, finding alternative treatments becomes crucial.

Why snail mucus?

Snail mucus has long been known for its healing properties and is often used in skincare for its moisturising and regenerative effects. However, its potential goes far beyond beauty products. The mucus contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including peptides and proteins, that have shown remarkable antibacterial activity.

 

Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash

Research findings

Researchers from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Sofia University have conducted a detailed study on the antibacterial properties of Cornu aspersum mucus. They isolated two main fractions from the mucus: one with molecules smaller than 20 kilodaltons (kDa) and another with molecules larger than 20 kDa. Both fractions exhibited significant antibacterial effects against a range of harmful bacteria.

 

cells, further highlighting its potential benefits.

The future of snail mucus in medicine

While more research is needed to understand and harness the potential of snail mucus fully, these findings are a promising step towards developing new antibacterial treatments. The natural compounds in snail mucus could be used to create new medications that fight resistant bacteria, offering hope in the battle against antibiotic resistance.

The humble garden snail might be key to the next generation of antibacterial treatments. With its powerful mucus, Cornu aspersum provides a natural and effective weapon against harmful bacteria. As scientists continue to explore this fascinating discovery, we may soon see snail mucus playing a crucial role in modern medicine, helping to overcome one of the biggest health challenges of our time.

 

Dr. Nikhil Prasad

Dr. Nikhil Prasad is an independent researcher, medical, pharma and health PR consultant, herbalists and phytochemical specialists and a medical and health writer for numerous international publications and sites including his own sites such as Thailand Medical News. He is based either at Sydney, New York, Shanghai, Mumbai or Bangkok.

 

[captnhoy]

Am I the only one wondering if other slimes could also be effective? Research required . . . 

[MarkBR]

13 minutes ago, captnhoy said:

Am I the only one wondering if other slimes could also be effective? Research required . . . 

This is a good question; many slimes are the first protective layer that organisms have against the external world so it would be worth investigating.

[0ffshore360]

I wonder who will be the first to patent a synthetic snail slime ? Then ban garden snails!

[impulse]

36 minutes ago, captnhoy said:

Am I the only one wondering if other slimes could also be effective? Research required . . . 

 

Be careful that the cure isn't worse than the disease.  There's some scary STDs out there.

 

[radiochaser]

2 hours ago, captnhoy said:

Am I the only one wondering if other slimes could also be effective? Research required . . . 

I am wondering how the hell they get enough snail slime to do experiments with or to use "in skincare for its moisturising and regenerative effects"??

[cncltd1973]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

Be careful that the cure isn't worse than the disease.  There's some scary STDs out there.

 

unless topical snail gel will cure genital infections... ugh

[ericbj]

13 hours ago, radiochaser said:

I am wondering how the hell they get enough snail slime to do experiments with or to use "in skincare for its moisturising and regenerative effects"??

https://www.neuralword.com/en/article/extracting-slime-from-snails-a-step-by-step-guide