PUNE: The sticky mucus secreted by snails is a novel biomaterial for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. A group of researchers from Shri Shiv Chhatrapati College, Junnar, in collaboration with Department of Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), and other institutes made this discovery.
The researchers have tested these silver nanoparticles and found them effective for fungal infection, anti-microbial activity in human body or to avoid injury scars. They also investigated its anti-cancer activity against cervical cancer cells. The research has been published in Nature Journal in September. The researchers have now applied for a patent for their work.
Ravindra Chaudhari from the department of zoology and Research Centre, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Junnar, said, “Hyaluronic acid in the mucus has moisturizing properties while glycolic acid helps to stimulate collagen responsible for skin-glow and radiant complexion. Snail mucus is an important ingredient of several cosmetic and para-pharmaceutical products. The main ingredients of snail mucus (proteins, amino acids etc.) can contribute in bio-reduction and bio-stabilization steps involved in metallic nanoparticles synthesis,” he added.
In a pilot attempt the research said, silver nanoparticles in biocompatible mucus exhibited anti-cancer activity against cervical cancer cell lines, said scientist Pramod Mane from the Junnar-based college.
“From the standpoint of future therapeutic applications based on our primary investigations, we put forward the possibility of realizing silver nanoparticles based topical cream/gel for effective acne treatment as well as for rapid wound healing without leaving scars. Such an idea can probably be extended to formulate anti-cancer cream or gel for specific topical application,” he added.
As compared to bacterial diseases, fungi mediated diseases are tedious to control, because very few antifungal drugs are available. Hence the need to formulate cost effective, eco-friendly and biocompatible antifungal agents.
Sanjay Kale, chairman of Junnar Taluka Shivner Shikshan Prasarak Mandal and Agricultural Produce Market Committee in Junnar said, “Use of live organisms to obtain their body secretions is far more advantageous over the use of plants, as the organism is not sacrifced and safely returned to nature resulting in biodiversity conservation. It can be a great success when exploited commercially.”
