Natural bioresources are increasingly explored as safer and more sustainable alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals, particularly in response to antimicrobial resistance and inflammatory side effects. This study examines the impact of medicinal plant-enriched diets on the bioactive composition and therapeutic potential of Cornu aspersum snail slime. Slime from plant-fed snails was compared with that from wild specimens using GC-MS/MS analysis, alongside evaluations of antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities through in vitro and in vivo assays. Slime derived from plant-fed snails exhibited significantly enhanced bioactivity, characterized by stronger antibacterial effects, increased antioxidant capacity, and improved anti-inflammatory and wound-healing responses. These findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with medicinal plants is an effective strategy for enhancing the pharmacological value of Cornu aspersum snail slime.
Elkhayari et al. (Wed,) studied this question.