1. JIMIWELL R. BERNABE - Research Assistant, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and currently pursuing a
Master’s Degree program in Biology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines.
2. MARIAN JEREMY D. AGGABAO - Research Assistant, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and currently pursuing a
Master’s Degree program in Biology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila,
Philippines.
3. ARIAL JOY J. RODEROS - Research Assistant, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and currently pursuing a
Master’s Degree program in Biology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila,
Philippines.
4. ELIJSHA MEARI A. GABRIEL - Research Assistant, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and currently pursuing a
Master’s Degree program in Biology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila,
Philippines.
5. PRINCESS CASEY BANTIGUE - Research Assistant, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and currently pursuing a Master’s
Degree program in Biology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines.
6. ANALETTE M. GUINTO - Researcher, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) of the Polytechnic University of the
Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines.
7. ALVIN N. CARIL - Researcher, Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) of the Polytechnic University of the
Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines.
8. NOEL A. SAGUIL - Chief of the Center for Engineering and Technology Research (CETR), Research Institute for Science
and Technology (RIST) of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines.
Snail mucin is a popular skincare ingredient in East Asia, as numerous studies and companies boast the healing potential of the ingredient. However, certainty of evidence regarding the efficacy of mucin as a topical treatment for various phases of wounds and burn healing are yet to be analyzed, therefore, a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines was conducted to assess evidence regarding the efficacy of snail mucin in wound healing. PubMed and Google Scholar-listed studies comparing the healing potential of Achatina fulica and Cornu aspersum mucus to any comparator intervention in treating skin wounds were scanned to assess possible eligible studies for inclusion. Two review authors independently performed PRISMA items to assess the certainty of evidence. Nine studies matched the inclusion criteria and compared snail mucin to three patented drugs (MEBO, hydrocortisone, and SSD), collagen-based films, laser irradiation, and untreated samples. Snail mucin had significantly faster rates of burn surface epithelization and burn eschar detachment compared to MEBO. There was a slight improvement in burn wound closure favoring snail mucin compared to SSD. Snail slime and 1.5% chitosan had three times faster complete wound closure rate of ±1.2 days compared to hydrocortisone with incomplete wound healing at ±3.2 days. However, light irradiation recorded faster partial healing than snail mucin. Nonetheless, the certainty of the presented outcomes must be interpreted that the obtained evidence was from studies with low - very low certainty evidence, thereby limiting an inclusive conclusion to be formed. The data regarding snail mucin in wound healing is growing, but the body of evidence is still hampered by studies not following evidence-based standards, more appropriately reported RCTs may improve the certainty of evidence.
Achatina fulica, Burns, Cornu aspersum, Glycosaminoglycans, Snail mucin, Snail secretion, Wounds.