Clinical Effectiveness of Snail Slime (Achatina fulica) as Topical Anesthetic

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the clinical effectiveness of snail slime extract as topical anesthetic.

Methods: The collected snails were bred to collect their eggs and laid until their shell size reached an average of 76.8 mm in length. Pedal mucus is ready for extraction. Physical properties of slime were evaluated according to color, pH, viscosity and volume of mucus secretions. Phytochemical tests for presence of Mucin, Chloride and Amine were performed. Mice were placed one by one in the hot plate. Commercial topical anesthetic gel was applied on the paws of the controlled group, snail slime on the experimental group. All test animals went through the procedures of Hot Plate Test and results were recorded.

Results: Physical properties reveal an ecru color, semi- viscous, pH at 9.0 and an average mucous secretion of 2ml per snail. Phytochemical test reveals a positive test for Mucin, Amine and Chloride. Hot Plate Test reveals prolonged reaction time to heat. Statistically, no difference between the commercial topical anesthetic gel and snail slime mean time to react both in baseline and post-intervention of treatment (F_(2,3) = 5.332, Probability = 0.1028 > 0.05). Based on statistical findings, snail slime was effective as a topical anesthetic by 1% lower than the commercial topical anesthetic gel.

Conclusions: There was no significant difference on the clinical effectiveness of snail slime as a topical anesthetic compared to commercially available topical anesthetic gel. Snail slime can be used as an alternate topical anesthetic agent.