THE silvery trail that is left by snails is being tested as a way to treat chronic wounds. Around 90 patients with diabetic foot ulcers will have a patch impregnated with the snail slime as a wound covering, while a similar number will have a normal dressing.
The results will be compared after 60 days in the study overseen by the University of Chile.
The sticky substance, from the Helix aspersa muller species, is produced by special glands located on the foot of the snail.
It is thought to contain a range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, as well as various proteins and fats that may aid wound healing.
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