Snake venom contains proteins with interesting pharmacological properties, such as enzymes and peptides. These compounds can be exploited to develop effective drugs against various diseases.
The toxins present in venom specifically act on certain biological targets, such as nerves, muscles, or blood. And it is precisely this specificity that makes them surprisingly useful in medicine: in small doses, these molecules can become powerful therapeutic tools. Some toxins are capable of blocking pain by preventing nerve impulses, which is very useful in managing chronic pain. Others have the ability to thin or coagulate blood, ideal for regulating complex blood disorders. Several venoms also contain compounds with remarkable anti-inflammatory properties, which is very promising for treating certain chronic diseases.
The venom of snakes is packed with hyper-powerful chemical compounds called toxins. Some of these toxins specifically target proteins or receptors present in our cells. For example, they can block or activate signaling pathways in the nerves, muscles, or blood. By blocking blood coagulation, some toxins can prevent the formation of dangerous clots. Other toxins, on the contrary, act on the nervous system, cutting off the transmission of painful messages to the brain, making them ideal candidates for pain relief medications. In short, these molecules derived from venom precisely disrupt certain functions of our cells; at small and well-controlled doses, they therefore offer excellent therapeutic avenues.
Snake venom contains molecules that are very useful in medicine. Some of these help treat diseases related to the blood or heart, thanks to their anticoagulant or anti-clot effects. For example, these molecules are used to develop medications against the formation of blood clots, thus reducing the risks of strokes or heart attacks. Other compounds derived from venom have very powerful pain-relieving properties, useful for effectively alleviating certain severe chronic pain in patients who respond only moderately to standard treatments. Research is also actively being conducted on venom to treat certain types of cancer, as some of its proteins have promising effects in blocking the growth or proliferation of cancer cells.
Some common medications come directly from snake venom. For example, Captopril is a well-known drug used to treat high blood pressure. It is derived from a toxin found in the venom of the Brazilian viper Bothrops jararaca, which has the ability to widen blood vessels and thus lower blood pressure.
Another example is Eptifibatide, a blood thinner (which prevents the formation of clots), inspired by a protein found in the venom of the pygmy rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius barbouri. It is mainly used during surgeries or to prevent heart attacks.
Another interesting case is Tirofiban: it also prevents clots and comes from a similar protein discovered in the venom of the viper Echis carinatus. It is particularly used to treat patients suffering from severe cardiac disorders.
Harnessing snake venom to create medicines is promising but not straightforward at all. First, the venom is extremely complex: it contains a lot of different molecules, sometimes several hundred, which are difficult to isolate and study separately. Secondly, these substances are often very potent, meaning one must be ultra-cautious to avoid dangerous side effects in patients. Not to mention that collecting venom is not very simple either: it requires raising snakes in well-controlled conditions, which is expensive and limits the available quantities. Finally, the human body can react poorly to the venom, causing allergic reactions or rejections, further complicating therapeutic use. All of this explains why years of research are necessary before obtaining an effective and safe medication from snake venom.
The venom of a snake can contain several hundred different substances, each having a specific effect capable of affecting the heart, blood coagulation, or even certain cancer cells.
The study of snake venom requires a strict and secure protocol, but recent advances now allow for the use of toxins in synthetic form, thereby avoiding frequent collections from live snakes.
Some peptides from snake venom have a recognized ability to specifically target certain tumor cells, thereby paving the way for more precise and less toxic cancer therapies.
Despite their potential danger, less than one percent of known snake venoms have been thoroughly studied for possible medical use. The therapeutic potential remains largely untapped.
Some medications derived from venom remain expensive due to the complex and costly steps of extraction, purification, and analysis. However, efforts are being gradually made to better structure these processes and reduce costs, allowing for broader and more affordable integration into medical care.
No, not all venoms are suitable or useful in medicine. Only certain venoms contain specific toxins that have demonstrated therapeutic properties after rigorous scientific studies. Therefore, each venom must be evaluated individually before being considered for medical use.
Yes, as with any active medication, there may be side effects or allergic risks in some patients. However, the venoms are highly diluted and chemically or biologically modified to minimize these risks as much as possible before their medicinal use.
Researchers primarily use the therapeutic screening method, which involves analyzing and testing each component of the venom on animal or human cells. Promising molecules then undergo extensive testing to determine their efficacy and safety before advancing to clinical trials.
Yes, it is entirely possible to extract snake venom without harming the animal. This procedure, known as venom extraction or milking, is typically performed by gently encouraging the snake to bite into a special container that collects the venom without injuring the fangs or excessively stressing the animal.
No, for a long time, various cultures have used venoms in traditional medicine to treat certain ailments, even without knowing their precise mechanisms of action. Nowadays, the scientific and medical use of snake venom is based more on a detailed understanding of the active molecules contained in these venoms and their biological modes of action.
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