Chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses of our snail filtrate extract

In 2018, we commissioned the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris and the University of Normandy in 2019 for a series of scientific analyses in chromatography and mass spectrometry. This researches aim to demonstrate the presence of proteins and peptides in the snail slime that we manually harvest and that we process by low pressure cold extraction.

The database research shows that the precipitation protocol is effective. Hemocyanin and actin are the two proteins that are primarily present. Approximately one hundred proteins were detected with the identification of 23 proteins. The research carried out in bibliographies on the role of the identified proteins show that they all have a link to the skin, its immune system or its collagens.

Proteins are highly diverse molecules, and our body produces approximately 100,000 different ones. Each of these proteins has a three-dimensional shape and specific chemical properties. They play many roles in human cells, performing a vast array of functions, including: Structure: protein fibers, Movement, Transportation of substances in the blood, Transportation of substances through cell membranes Hormones, Cell identification, Defense: antibodies, Enzymes.

These proteins play a role in the body’s immune system and consist of a coordinated set of recognition and defense elements. An immune response is activated when our body is confronted with a stress factor or disorder, leading to immune resilience. This concept covers all the body’s effective defense mechanisms in the face of a pathogenic agent. These proteins are part of natural, nonspecific defense mechanisms. The skin is the first and most important element in our defense system, as it prevents most foreign particles from penetrating the body.

These proteins are part of the structural protein family, most often found in fibrillar form. They are involved in cell migration, as well as play a role in adhesive junctions by participating in the cohesion of epithelial cells along their basal sides. These proteins and collagen form a network, which is the backbone of the basal membrane in order to maintain the structure and function of tissues. Cytoskeletons. The majority of cells have an internal framework of protein fibers. This cytoskeleton is responsible for the particular shape of each cell and its level of resistance to observed tensions and movements.

COLLAGEN PROTEINS Collagen is a fibrous protein whose main function is to provide tissue with mechanical resistance to extension. It is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom, accounting for approximately one quarter of our total protein mass. The collagen family includes 23 types of collagen, composed of 38 distinct chains. This is why we should speak about collagens rather than collagen in singular form. Each type of collagen has its own structure and is found in specific organs. However, in snail filtrate, collagens I, V and VI are linked to connective tissue, such as skin.

A bacteriostatic effect of the purifying gel for acne-prone skin in agar medium against S. epidermidis has been demonstrated. The bacterial species tested is Staphylococcus epidermidis or white staphylococcus, it is a bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus. It is a bacteria typical of the skin flora in humans. This microorganism is linked to certain skin infections of the skin such as acne. We also carried out on our purifying gel another clinical test under dermatological control with 22 volunteers (20 women and 2 men) of average age of 27 years (between 18 and 35 years) and with an acne-prone skin. This test demonstrated that the majority of volunteers (95%) appreciated its sebum-regulating properties and its effectiveness on traces of skin imperfections after 21 days. Result: rebalanced, purified and mattified skin

3 proteomic analysis methods using 1-D and 2-D electrophoresis to assess extraction quality and proteomic concentration and to identify the observed proteins. And shotgun analysis, which is a more sensitive method that allows for the identification of minority proteins. Hemocyanin and actin are identified as the predominant proteins in our snail filtrate. Hemocyanin is used in cosmetics to activate cellular respiration (Source: Patent Application FR 280432 A1). It is an essential element in the skin regeneration process and in preserving the skin’s extracellular proteins (Source: Abdulghani – A.A et al,1988 – Gadi Borkow, 2004). Actin plays an important role in healing skin cells and regulating the production of collagen, which helps maintain skin firmness (Source: Zhaoping Qui et al, 2018-PIMB: 29888864).

Our studies show that hemocyadin and actin are predominant proteins, both known for their roles in the skin regeneration and healing processes, through in vitro research and clinical studies. 2,500 years after Hippocrates, science has confirmed the observations made during Antiquity. It is important that the mucus be extracted in extract form, which is essential to its high proteomic quality and hence its properties. In this work, we have shown that the snail filtrate extract used by Mademoiselle Agathe cosmetics contains numerous proteins and that all these proteins have a more or less direct link with the skin. Interestingly, the oxygenated compounds found, such as vitamin D, which play an essential role in the skin’s health, had never before been documented. This work will provide a basis for a future study, which could show the connection between the hydrolipidic film of human skin and a distant ancestor of snail filtrate. Additional research is needed to identify the other proteins present.