# Oral Administration of Edible Snail Extract Powder Prevents UVB‐Induced Skin Damage

## TL;DR

Eating snail extract powder may help protect skin from UV damage and improve skin health.

## Contribution

This study is the first to show that oral snail extract powder prevents UVB-induced skin damage in mice.

## Key findings

- Oral snail extract powder improved skin hydration and reduced wrinkles in UVB-exposed mice.
- The extract restored gene expression for hyaluronic acid, collagen, and antioxidant enzymes.
- It inhibited UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and preserved skin structure.

## Abstract

Edible snail extract powder, which is known to hydrate and help heal skin, was evaluated to see if it could protect against skin damage from UVB via oral administration in an SKH‐1 hairless mouse model. Over a period of 117 days, mice were exposed to UVB radiation and given edible snail extract powder to assess its impact on skin health. Toxicity tests confirmed its safety, with no significant changes in body weight, organ weights, or serum markers. Physiological analyses showed that edible snail extract powder significantly improved skin hydration, reduced trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), and inhibited wrinkle formation. Histological examination revealed increased collagen deposition and reduced stratum corneum thickness. At the molecular level, edible snail extract powder restored the expression of hyaluronic acid synthases (HAS1, HAS2, HAS3), collagen‐related genes (Col1a1, Col1a2), and Sod, while suppressing the levels of Mmp‐1, a matrix‐degrading enzyme elevated by UVB exposure. These findings suggest that oral administration of edible snail extract powder might enhance skin barrier function and combat photoaging through antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and ECM‐preserving mechanisms. This study highlights its potential as a functional food ingredient for skin health, warranting further investigation into its molecular pathways.

Oral administration of edible snail extract powder (SEP) significantly protected against UVB‐induced skin damage in SKH‐1 hairless mice. SEP improved skin hydration, reduced wrinkle formation, and restored the expression of key genes related to hyaluronic acid synthesis, collagen production, and antioxidant defense. These findings suggest SEP may serve as a promising oral functional ingredient for preventing photoaging and enhancing skin health.