Cerulisina and Snail Mucin: A New Approach for the Treatment of Perforated Tympanic Membrane

Introduction: The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, is a delicate trilaminar tissue essential for hearing, as it transmits sound vibrations from the external ear to the ossicular chain and inner ear. Tympanic membrane perforation, often caused by trauma, infections, or pressure changes, can become chronic if not healed within 3–8 weeks, necessitating surgical interventions like myringoplasty or tympanoplasty. Objectives: This study investigates the healing properties of Cerulisina and snail mucin on tympanic membrane wounds, starting with an in vitro assessment on HaCaT cells. Methods: Treatments with varying concentrations of Cerulisina (50 μl, 100 μl, 150 μl), snail mucin (350 μg/ml, 400 μg/ml, 450 μg/ml), and their combination were applied. Cell viability was assessed at 3h, 6h, 24h, and 32h using the MTS assay. Wound healing was evaluated in vitro using the scratch assay. Results: Neither Cerulisina, snail mucin, nor their combination exhibited cytotoxic effects on HaCaT cells. The scratch assay demonstrated that both compounds effectively stimulate cell proliferation, leading to scratch closure. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Cerulisina and snail mucin have potential in promoting cell proliferation and wound closure in vitro without cytotoxic effects. These results support further research into their application for treating tympanic membrane perforations. Future studies should include in vivo evaluations and clinical trials to confirm efficacy and safety, potentially offering a non-surgical alternative for managing chronic tympanic membrane perforations and improving patient outcomes.