How Snake Venom Helps Cure Diseases
Venom as medicine – it sounds strange, but it's true!
Talking Science
Mark, did you know that snake venom is used to make medicine?
Seriously?! I thought venom only kills!
I thought so too, but our teacher explained that venom can be used to make life-saving medicine.
Now I'm really curious! Let's ask the teacher how that's possible.
The Teacher Explains
Snake venom contains hundreds of different proteins and enzymes. Some of them affect blood pressure, blood clotting, or the nervous system. Scientists study these compounds and use them to create medicines that mimic venom’s effects – but in controlled and safe doses!
For example, the drug Captopril, which lowers blood pressure, was developed by studying the venom of a Brazilian snake called Bothrops jararaca.
Other drugs help prevent dangerous blood clots – which is important for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Some researchers are even exploring ways to use snake toxins to deliver medicine directly to cancer cells!
Snakes and Medicine
Despite their scary reputation, snake venom has helped develop over 20 medicines around the world. Scientists believe that many more life-saving compounds are still waiting to be discovered in snake venom!