European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SNAIL MUCIN – AN INNOVATIVE INGREDIENT USED IN COSMETOLOGY AND MEDICAL INDUSTRY - A REVIEW

Pavithra V.*, Keerthana S., Keerthipriya R. K., Madhumithra S., Nivetha K. and Sundharamoorthy K.

ABSTRACT

Mucin is a highly glycosylated protein family that are secreted by animals for hydration, lubrication, and other
functions. Snails produce mucin proteins in their mucous for a wide array of biological functions, including
microbial protection, adhesion, hydration and lubrication. Recently, snail mucins have also become an innovation
with wide ranging applications across chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. Specifically, snail
mucus have been applied as skin care products, wound healing agents, anti-ageing properties, anti-acne,
moisturizing properties, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, scar reduction and hydration properties. This review
describes the research on snail mucin in cosmetics and medical field.

Keywords: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, anti-ageing, glycolic acid, wound healing, aloe vera.