Snake Venom Can Be Part Of An Effective Pain Reliever

Snake venom can be part of an effective pain reliever

The blue coral snake is one of the most venomous snakes.

Blue coral snake. Photo: fountainpennetwork.com /

The toxin, which is part of the venom of a two-meter blue coral snake, may become the basis for a new pain reliever. The blue coral snake is one of the most venomous snakes. Due to the fact that it is capable of attacking even the king cobra, the coral snake is called a “killer killer.” The venom-secreting glands in the blue coral snake are very long and can reach up to a quarter of its length.

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For 16 years, Fride has already been bitten by 160 venomous snakes, including a black mamba, whose venom kills a person in 20 minutes, and a cobra, whose bite can even kill an elephant.

The snake's venom works almost instantly - this is what helps the blue coral snake to cope with the poisonous cobra, the slow-acting poison in this case will not work. Most poisons, the scientists explain, work like a powerful sedative, first causing the victim to be severely inhibited, and only then killing him.

After studying the mechanism of action of the poison, researchers from the University of Queensland (University of Queensland (University of Queensland) suggested that the components of snake venom could be used to create effective analgesics. Toxins contained in the venom act on sodium channels, which play a key role in the transmission of pain sensations. The authors explain that this is the first venom) acting in this way.

Scientists have previously studied the venoms of cone snails and scorpions, but it is possible that snake venom will be a more effective pain reliever - this, according to the researchers, is due to the fact that snakes, like humans, are vertebrates, that is, evolutionarily closer creatures.

The blue coral snake is a very rare species. About 80% of the territories in Southeast Asia, where these animals lived, were destroyed. In the near future, the researchers plan to study the closest relatives of these snakes found in Singapore.

Source: The venom of one of world's deadliest snakes could relieve pain, say scientists

A snake with the largest venom glands in the world could hold the answer to pain relief, scientists have found.

BBC