Some animal poisons contain chemical compounds with medicinal properties. These substances can be used to develop drugs to treat various diseases, such as pain, heart diseases or cancer.
Venoms may seem frightening at first glance, but in reality, they often contain very specific substances capable of interacting effectively with our body. These molecules, called toxins, can block or stimulate certain cell or nerve receptors, making them super interesting for creating medications. For example, some toxins have anticoagulant properties, useful for thinning the blood and preventing clot formation. Others act as real painkillers by blocking the nerve communication of pain signals better than some conventional medications. Some even possess anti-cancer properties, as they can slow down or stop the growth of certain tumor cells. In short, when used intelligently and in controlled small doses, these toxic toxins become true therapeutic treasures.
Animal toxins hit precisely where it hurts: they target specific molecules or vital functions in the body to block or stimulate their activity. Many of them bind to cellular receptors or ion channels, disrupting communication between nerve, muscle, or heart cells. It's like short-circuiting an electrical network. Some toxins completely paralyze muscles by preventing normal nerve signals. Others, on the contrary, trigger intense pain by strongly stimulating sensory nerves. The trick is that by precisely dosing or slightly modifying their structure, these poisons can be used as very effective medical tools.
Some animal toxins have already led to the creation of surprising medications. For example, the venom of the snake Bothrops jararaca inspired Captopril, an effective treatment for high blood pressure. The same goes for the cone snail, a beautiful marine snail whose formidable venom contains a toxin used to develop Ziconotide, a powerful painkiller. Another astonishing example is the saliva of the Gila monster, a toxic lizard, which led to the creation of Exenatide, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Finally, even spiders contribute to the cause: some components of their venom are currently being studied to develop new, highly promising analgesics.
Using animal poisons to create medications remains a real puzzle: it is necessary to precisely isolate the right molecule, verify that it is safe, avoid side effects that can sometimes be dangerous, and find ways to produce it in sufficient quantities without constantly having to extract venom directly from animals, which raises both ethical and practical issues. The process of chemical synthesis or production using genetically modified organisms (such as bacteria) are currently favored approaches. Recent technologies like artificial intelligence also significantly accelerate the discovery and testing of these promising molecules. However, despite these rather encouraging advancements, the path from raw natural venom to a medication available in pharmacies is still long, costly, and fraught with challenges.
The venom of the Bothrops jararaca snake has led to the development of captopril, a medication widely used to treat hypertension, due to its ability to regulate blood pressure.
The powerful anesthetic ziconotide, used to treat severe chronic pain, comes from a toxin extracted from the venom of a marine snail called the cone snail (Conus magus).
Bees produce a toxin called melittin, which, despite its toxicity, is the subject of promising research for the targeted treatment of certain cancers.
The sea anemone produces paralyzing toxins for its prey, but some components of its venom are being studied in the laboratory for their potential to reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
No, not all venoms necessarily have therapeutic properties. Only certain venoms contain specific active molecules that can be isolated and harnessed for their targeted therapeutic effects.
Snakes, spiders, scorpions, and certain marine mollusks such as cone snails possess particularly studied venoms. Their toxins often contain proteins or peptides capable of modifying human physiology, making them valuable in medical research.
Therapeutic molecules derived from venoms are carefully isolated, refined, and tested to ensure their efficacy and safety. Although their origins are toxic, these medications undergo a strict control process, significantly reducing the risks for patients.
Researchers first identify the active compounds in a venom, then conduct preliminary laboratory studies to observe their effects on cells or biological models. If the results show significant therapeutic potential, they will proceed to preclinical studies and eventually clinical trials in humans.
Although few in number, several medications derived from animal venoms are already on the market and are used to treat diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coagulation disorders. Many other compounds derived from venoms are currently in clinical trials and could become commonplace in the future.
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