Beauty, Health & Fitness Topics


How Glycoconjugates can Benefit your Health

by Linda Gladhill

Recently, scientific studies have shown that the snail's fluid secretion contains complex glycoconjugates, such as glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. These molecules are composed primarily of sulfated sugar or carbohydrate sequences (sugar= glyco), globular soluble proteins, uronic acids and oligoelements (copper, zinc, calcium and iron).

Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans are active regulators of cell function, act in cell-matrix interactions and play an important biological role in fibroblasts proliferation, specialization and migration by effectively modulating the cellular phenotype.

The main glycoconjugate of snail mucus is a glycosaminoglycan which is secreted from granules inside the snail's tissues and is localized on the outer surface. It has a novel structure when compared to other known glycosaminoglycans.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) or mucopolysaccharides are long unbranched polysaccharides, composed of repeating disaccharides that can be sulphated (e.g. glucuronic acid, galactosamine, galactose, glucosamine, iduronic acid). GAGs are an important component of connective tissues.

Glycosaminoglycans are carbohydrates and are often overlooked as the third main class of biological polymers. Though they have received less attention than nucleic acids or proteins, they are just as basic for life, in general, and skin care, in particular.

Proteoglycans are complex macromolecules consisting of a core protein and one or more covalently linked glycosaminoglycan sequences. The organic functions of proteoglycans mainly derive from the structurally dominant glycosaminoglycans surging from the protein core of the molecule. A large number of animal species possess GAGs and mollusks are a specially rich fountain of these polysaccharides. GAGs are commonly found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrate and invertebrate structures. A structural investigation revealed that GAGs in invertebrate species often possess unusual proportions of sulfate distribution and uronic acids.

Dermatan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan found mainly in skin, but also in heart valves, tendons, blood vessels, and lungs. Dermatan sulfate can have roles in carcinogenesis, infection, cardiovascular disease, wound repair, coagulation, and fibrosis.

Chondroitin sulfate is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) made of a sequence of intercalated sugars (N-acetyl-galactosamine and glucuronic acid). It is commonly found attached to proteins as part of a proteoglycan. A chondroitin sequence can have over 100 individual sugars, each of which can be sulfated in variable positions and quantities. Understanding the functions of this diversity in chondroitin sulfate and other glycosaminoglycans is a major goal of glycobiology. Chondroitin sulfate is a crucial structural component of cartilage and gives much of its resistance to compression.

Complex sugars, or glycans, which are generally linked to proteins, cover the outsides of cells and fill the gaps between them. Crucial in normal animal development and in preventing many diseases, glycans appear to work as scaffolds that mediate interactions between proteins.

Because of its components, the snail and the biological components it produces has become increasingly important to the skin care industry. Besides, divulging the make-up of snail mucus, studies have also shown that a product containing snail-derived components repairs damaged skin. By choosing products containing snail serum, your skin will be healthy and more beautiful.

Damaged skin can now be quickly eliminated thanks to a natural skin care product that includes a biological element that regenerates and soothes your skin.

Published March 13th, 2008

Filed in Beauty, Health