The Effectiveness of Snail Slime and Chitosan in Wound Healing

Snail slime (Achatina fulica) has many functions, including wound or scratch and gingivitis healings, and skin care. The essential substances contained in the snail slime involve glycosaminoglycans and proteins. The proteins have important biological functions, including as a bacterial protein (enzyme) binding receptor. Chitosan is a natural polymer containing a hydroxyl group (OH) and amine groups (NH2) which is positively charged in acidic solution. It is antimicrobial and polycationic, so that it can be used as a coagulant agent. The research aims at finding out the effectiveness of snail slime and chitosan in wound healing. The methods employed in the research included isolation of snail slime, the synthesis of chitosan (2%), and in vivo treatment stages using 5 groups of mice as negative controls, snail slime and chitosan (2%). The ratios of snail slime and chitosan examined were 1: 1, 1: 2, and 2: 1. The result shows that snail slime and chitosan (2%) with the ratio of 1: 2 is effective in wound healing. The content of the antiinflammatory factor in snail slime and antimicrobial.