Snake Venom Holds Promise for Pain Relief

Key to pain relief is found in the venom of Africa's lethal black mamba, say scientists.

French researchers wrote in the journal Nature Wednesday that peptides isolated from black mamba venom may be a safer pain killer than morphine.

Recurrence of Venous Thromboembolism can be Checked By Aspirin
Venous thromboembolism is the formation of blood clot in the deep veins of the body such as in legs. It can be cured by aspirin administration. Aspirin is a potent pain killer.

In mice at least, the peptides bypass the receptors in the brain that are targeted by morphine and other opioid compounds which sometimes cause side-effects like breathing difficulties or nausea.

Nor do the peptides pose the same risk of addiction or drug abuse.

"We have identified new natural peptides, mambalgins, from the venom of the snake Black Mamba that are able to significantly reduce pain in mice without toxic effect," study co-author Anne Baron of France's Centre national de la recherche scientifique (national research institute) told AFP.

Quiz on Pain
Brain surgery without anesthesia? Take this pain quiz and find answers.

"It is remarkable that this was made possible from the deadly venom of one of the most venomous snakes," she said of the study published in the journal Nature.

"(It) is surprising that mambalgins, which represent less than 0.5 percent of the total venom protein content, has analgesic (pain-relief) properties without neurotoxicity in mice, whereas the total venom of black mamba is lethal and among the most neurotoxic ones."

Snake Venom in Cancer Fight
Snake venom could hold cures for cancer and diabetes, say researchers. The study showed that venom not only evolved from regular cells but could be turned back into harmless proteins.

Morphine is often regarded as the best drug to relieve severe pain and suffering, but it has several side effects and can be habit-forming.

The black mamba's venom is among the fastest acting of any snake species, and a bite will be fatal if not treated with antivenom -- the poison attacking the central nervous system and causing respiratory paralysis.

Venom of Deadly Spider Offers Quick Remedy for Erectile Dysfunction
A team of Brazilian and American researchers has found that the venom from one of the world’s deadliest spider can cure erectile dysfunction in just 20 minutes.

Mice are among the agile adder's favourite prey in the wild in eastern and southern Africa.

Baron said researchers were confident the peptides would also work in humans "and are very interesting candidates as painkillers", but much work remains to be done.

A patent has been issued and a pharmaceutical company is examining the possibilities, she said.

Source-AFP