- Snake skin has scales that serve various functions and change over the life cycle of the snake. Snake skin and scales help to retain moisture, serve as a form of camouflage, and are used for traction. The scales contain keratin, which makes them hard and shiny; keratin is also found in the hair, hooves, and horns of mammals.
- Snake skin is traditionally used for various skin disorders, such as abscesses, acne, boils, itching, and sores. Human research is limited.
- Snake skin, in combination with other traditional Chinese herbs and injections of sodium iodide into the eye, has been examined as a treatment for corneal opacity, a condition in which the cornea (the transparent structure of the eye) becomes opaque, meaning light may not pass though efficiently. Studies employing snake skin alone are necessary in order to determine if it has any effect on this condition.
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ingredients
Snakeskin
Contents
- Baby, A. R., Haroutiounian-Filho, C. A., Sarruf, F. D., Tavante-Junior, C. R., Pinto, C. A. S. D. O., Zague, V., Areas, E. P. G., Kaneko, T. M., and Velasco, M. V. R. Stability and in vitro penetration study of rutin incorporated in a cosmetic emulsion through an alternative model biomembrane. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Revista Brasileira de Ciencias Farmaceuticas) 2008;44:233-248.
- Burken, R. R., Wertz, P. W., and Downing, D. T. A survey of polar and nonpolar lipids extracted from snake skin. Comp Biochem.Physiol B 1985;81(2):315-318. View Abstract
- Burken, R. R., Wertz, P. W., and Downing, D. T. The effect of lipids on transepidermal water permeation in snakes. Comp Biochem.Physiol A Comp Physiol 1985;81(2):213-216. View Abstract
- Haigh, J. M., Beyssac, E., Chanet, L., and Aiache, J. M. In vitro permeation of progesterone from a gel through the shed skin of three different snake species. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 1998;170(2):151-156.
- Harada, K., Murakami, T., Kawasaki, E., Higashi, Y., Yamamoto, S., and Yata, N. In-vitro permeability to salicylic acid of human, rodent, and shed snake skin. J Pharm.Pharmacol. 1993;45(5):414-418. View Abstract
- Itoh, T., Xia, J., Magavi, R., Nishihata, T., and Rytting, J. H. Use of shed snake skin as a model membrane for in vitro percutaneous penetration studies: comparison with human skin. Pharm.Res 1990;7(10):1042-1047. View Abstract
- Jones, D. E. and Holladay, S. D. Excretion of three heavy metals in the shed skin of exposed corn snakes (Elaphe guttata). Ecotoxicol.Environ.Saf 2006;64(2):221-225. View Abstract
- Kang, L., Park, M. O., and Jun, H. W. Two-phase melt systems of ibuprofen for enhanced membrane permeation. Pharm.Dev.Technol. 2004;9(4):349-357. View Abstract
- Ngawhirunpat, T., Panomsuk, S., Opanasopit, P., Rojanarata, T., and Hatanaka, T. Comparison of the percutaneous absorption of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds in shed snake skin and human skin. Pharmazie 2006;61(4):331-335. View Abstract
- Ngawhirunpat, T., Opanasopit, P., Rojanarata, T., Panomsuk, S., and Chanchome, L. Evaluation of simultaneous permeation and metabolism of methyl nicotinate in human, snake, and shed snake skin. Pharm.Dev.Technol. 2008;13(1):75-83. View Abstract
- Pongjanyakul, T., Prakongpan, S., Panomsuk, S., Puttipipatkhachorn, S., and Priprem, A. Shed king cobra and cobra skins as model membranes for in-vitro nicotine permeation studies. J Pharm.Pharmacol. 2002;54(10):1345-1350. View Abstract
- Rigg, P. C. and Barry, B. W. Shed snake skin and hairless mouse skin as model membranes for human skin during permeation studies. J Invest Dermatol. 1990;94(2):235-240. View Abstract
- Wang, Z., Itoh, Y., Hosaka, Y., Kobayashi, I., Nakano, Y., Maeda, I., Umeda, F., Yamakawa, J., Nishimine, M., Suenobu, T., Fukuzumi, S., Kawase, M., and Yagi, K. Mechanism of enhancement effect of dendrimer on transdermal drug permeation through polyhydroxyalkanoate matrix. J Biosci.Bioeng. 2003;96(6):537-540. View Abstract
- Yuan, X. and Capomacchia, A. C. The binary eutectic of NSAIDS and two-phase liquid system for enhanced membrane permeation. Pharm.Dev.Technol. 2005;10(1):1-10. View Abstract
- Zhang, R. J., Zhao, Y. W., Tang, F. U., Sheng, S. S., and Zhou, Y. Y. Clinical effect of traditional Chinese herbs combined with sodium iodide in treatng corneal opacity. International Journal of Ophthalmology 2007;7(1)
Disclaimer: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
