Brazilian researchers have found a molecule in the venom of the Jararacuçu snake that inhibits the multiplication of the coronavirus.
In laboratory studies, scientists from the Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo State (Unesp) brought a component of the poison protein, a peptide, into contact with infected monkey cells and found that the reproductive capacity of the virus decreased by 75 percent.
Tjerk Brühwiller
Correspondent for Latin America based in São Paulo.
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According to the researchers, the antibacterial properties of molecules of the poison were already known.
Therefore, they have now tested some of these peptides for their effect on the coronavirus.
The results, which were recently published in the journal Molecules, are therefore promising for further research and even for the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of infected people.
In a further step, research will now be carried out on the ideal dose and experiments will be carried out on living organisms.
Life saving poison
The Jararacuçu (Bothrops jararacussu) occurs in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina.
It is a large viper, the females of which can be up to two meters long.
Their poison is very dangerous.
The jararacuçu is responsible for almost 90 percent of snakebites in Brazil.
For those infected with corona, however, their poison could soon be life-saving.
It is not uncommon for molecules in animal poisons to be used as drugs to treat disease.
Other substances contained in plants and animals also have enormous potential for pharmaceutical research, although many properties are not yet known.
Scientists therefore warn of the ongoing destruction of habitat and thus biodiversity.