Scientists find glue in snails for healing wounds

Experts from the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have obtained natural biological glue from snail secretions, which can be used to heal wounds. This is according to an article published in Nature Communications.

It is noted that the researchers were able to establish that the natural biomaterial (d-SMG) contained in snails is 30-50% protein and contains up to 16% sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG). Its composition, according to scientists, is similar to the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which includes fibrous proteins and polysaccharides, which supports cell growth and regulates their behavior.

In trials, d-SMG showed better adhesion in wet tissues than clinical fibrin glue. The scientists noted that the GAG-based natural gel provided a moist tissue microenvironment and reduced inflammation, which promoted tissue regeneration.

In addition, an in vivo study, that is, on living organisms, demonstrated that this biomaterial promotes healing of skin wounds not only in normal rats, but also in diabetic rats. In addition, according to the researchers, d-SMG improved angiogenesis, granulation tissue neogenesis, collagen deposition, and epidermal regeneration in the wound.

Experts say that the results of their work can be used as a theoretical and material basis for the creation of bioactive dressings, as well as bioengineered wound healing scaffolds.