Venom from one of Brazil's largest snakes could reduce COVID's ability to multiply
Venom from one of Brazil's largest snakes could reduce COVID's ability to multiply
Snake venom could be used as a tool in the fight against coronavirus, a study suggests.
Brazilian researchers have found that a molecule in the venom of a type of snake slowed down the reproduction of coronavirus in monkey cells.
The discovery could be a possible first step towards the creation of a drug to combat the virus that causes COVID-19.
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.
© Reuters A jararacussu snake's venom has been used in a study against coronavirus.
COVID-19 is caused by a new form of the virus known as SARS-CoV-2.
The study showed a molecule produced by the jararacussu pit viper, one of the largest snakes in Brazil, reduced the disease's ability to multiply by 75%.
One of the scientists involved in the research, Rafael Guido, said: "We were able to show that that component of the snake's venom was able to inhibit a very important protein of the virus.
"It's the first step in a long journey... the process is a very long one.
"A component of the venom demonstrated in this study is that it has development potential. It's a long road, we have taken the first steps."
© Reuters The study showed a molecule produced by the jararacussu pit viper reduced the disease's ability to multiply by 75%
Published in the scientific journal, Molecules, the research found the fragment is a peptide, or chain of amino acids, that can connect to an enzyme of the coronavirus called PLPro.
PLPro is vital to the reproduction of the virus without hurting other cells.
The jararacussu can grow up to 2m (6ft) long and is found in Brazil, the coastal Atlantic Forest, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.
Mr Guido added that scientists are "afraid people will go hunting for the jararacussu all over Brazil, thinking it will save the world or themselves, their family".
He said: "That's not the case. Is this an important discovery? Without a doubt it is, but chasing after the animal is not how it will be resolved."
"The component that was discovered is just a fraction from inside the venom, it is not the venom itself that will cure coronavirus at this time."
Researchers will next evaluate the efficiency of different doses of the molecule and whether it can prevent the virus from entering cells in the first place, according to a statement from the State University of Sao Paulo (Unesp), which was also involved in the research.
They hope to test the substance in human cells but gave no timeline.
Reference: Sky News:
No thoughts on “Venom from one of Brazil's largest snakes could reduce COVID's ability to multiply”
Articles - Most Read
- Home
- LIVER DIS-EASE AND GALL BLADDER DIS-EASE
- Contacts
- African Wholistics - Medicines, Machines and Ignorance
- African Holistics - Seduced by Ignorance and Research
- African Wholistics -The Overlooked Revolution
- The Children of the Sun-3
- Kidney Stones-African Holistic Health
- PART ONE: DIS-EASE TREATMENT AND HEALTH-3
- 'Tortured' and shackled pupils freed from Nigerian Islamic school
- The Serpent and the RainBow-The Jaguar - 2
- PART ONE: DIS-EASE TREATMENT AND HEALTH-2
- PART ONE: DIS-EASE TREATMENT AND HEALTH-4
- PART ONE: DIS-EASE TREATMENT AND HEALTH-5
- King Leopold's Ghost - Introduction
- African Wholistics - Medicine
- Menopause
- PART ONE: DIS-EASE TREATMENT AND HEALTH-6
- The Mystery System
- The Black Pharaohs Nubian Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
Who's On Line?
We have 257 guests and no members online
Ad Agency Remote
Articles - Latest
- The nightly ritual that could improve memory and brain health, according to scientists
- Hyacinth Bean: How Nutritionists Rate Its Nutrients, Health Effects, And More
- Top healthiest fruits with anti-inflammatory properties
- Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: How to spot the signs in your feet
- Dehydration may be as bad 'as smoking' for veins - how much water you need to avoid stroke
- Winter Squash: A Superfood Or Not? Nutrition Professionals Weigh In, With Serving Tips And Health Risks
- Why The Nutrition Professionals Love Winter Melon, Nutritional Benefits And Serving Size Guidelines
- Lesser-known lung cancer symptom in arm or shoulder that can't be ignored
- HIV breakthrough as new technology removes all traces of virus from infected cells
- Seven fruits for diabetics to avoid that can increase blood sugar spike risk
- Top 7 Uses and Benefits of Dead Nettle Plants
- 6 physical symptoms of anxiety you shouldn’t ignore, according to experts
- The five warning signs of bad circulation, according to a surgeon
- How to use wild garlic
- How many litres of water should you drink a day and does tea count?
- Cucumber: Nutrition Professional Opinions And Healthy Portions
- Hardening of the arteries speeds up ageing process, new study says - how to prevent
- FDA Approves First Gene Therapies to Treat Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
- Three questions for men facing infertility from risk factors to treatments