STUDY: Viper venom could become a remedy in the fight against Covid-19
The venom of vipers could become a remedy in the fight with Covid- 19.
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Brazilian researchers have found that a molecule in the venom of a certain type of snake inhibits the reproduction of coronavirus in monkey cells, this being a possible first step in the development of a drug to fight the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
A study published in the scientific journal Molecules shows that the molecule produced by the jararacussu viper inhibited the virus’s ability to multiply in monkey cells by 75%.
“We were able to show that this component of snake venom was able to inhibit a very important protein in the virus,” said Rafael Guido, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo and author of the study, according to AlephNews.
The molecule is a peptide or chain of amino acids that can bind to a coronavirus enzyme called PLPro, which is vital in the reproduction of the virus.
“We are cautious about the people who will go on a jararacussu hunt around Brazil, believing that they will save the world… That is not the idea! The venom itself will not cure the coronavirus, “says Giuseppe Puorto, a herpetologist.
The researchers will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of different doses of the molecule and whether it is able to prevent the virus from entering the cells, according to a statement from Sao Paulo State University. They hope to test the substance in human cells, but have not provided further details on when they will do so.
Jararacussu is one of the largest snakes in Brazil, measuring up to 2 meters long.
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