Effects of Snail (Achatina fulica) Mucus on the Levels of 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine and Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta Biomarkers in Periodontitis-induced Wistar Rats

Abstract

Periodontitis, a common form of dental disease, is a bacterial infection causing inflammation and tooth loss due to the loss of connective tissues and bones.  Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) regulate inflammatory processes involving the tooth gingival and alveolar bones. Snail mucus, a natural ingredient, has been proposed as a cure for periodontitis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of snail mucus on the levels of the 8-OHdG and NF-kB biomarkers during the healing process in periodontitis-induced Wistar rats. White Wistar rats were categorized into three groups: treatment, non-treatment, and control. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans bacteria were used to induce periodontitis in the treatment and non-treatment groups. Snail mucus was administered to the treatment group. Blood was collected from the three groups to assess the 8-OHdG and NF-kB biomarker levels. The analysis of 8-OHdG serum levels in rats showed that the highest optical density of 2.523 was observed at a concentration of 0 ng/mL, while the lowest optical density of 0.201 was recorded at a concentration of 100 ng/mL. The treatment group exhibited a significantly lower 8-OHdG level (14.7 ng/mL) compared to the non-treatment group (28.2 ng/mL). A similar observation was made with NF-kB levels, with the treatment group having a significantly lower level (121.3 pg/mL) than the non-treatment group (179.4 pg/mL). The study found that administering snail mucus at 250 mg/kg body weight to rats with periodontitis can decrease 8-OHdG and NF-kB levels, enhancing the healing process