Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am doing a school report on the new advancements in medicine using snake venom. I am having a difficult time finding information because I don't have a list of all the medical drugs derived from venom, so it's hard to find a place to start. I know Scientific American did an article on it recently but I could only find information on one drug from that article. (and I know there are many more) Does anyone know anything on this topic?

Reptile Magazine ran an article in the Mar 07 issue about the role snakes have played throughout the history of medicine. This information can be found within that article.

Acquired Knoll Pharmaceuticals from 3M is developing a substance called ANCROD, which is formulated from the venom dervived from Callaselasma rhodostoma and is designed for administration following a stroke.

Co-market Intergrilin, known generically as eptifibatide, is based on a protein called disintegrin taken from the venom of the Sistrurus miliarius sp.

Merek produces a heart drug called Aggrastat, a non peptide agent also based on disintegrin, which is taken from Echis carinatus.

Nutra Pharma Coroporation and ReceptoPharm is researching the venom of Naja naja for its possible treatment of HIV and MS.

Do a search on scholar.google.com on contortrostatin, and you should find some good stuff. It is a protein isolated from agkistrodon and they have been doing some real exciting work with it. If you are unable to gain access to the papers email me and I can help you out.
Best,
Jason

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"Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Homebrew!" Charlie Papazian

thank you, I got most of my info, but could someone please explain to my how naja naja venom can be antiviral?

The secreted phosphalipases A2 present in the venom prevent intracellular release of the viral capsid protein. I don't think it is entirely understood, but it is proposed that the mechanism is specific and may prevent viral entry in to the cell pre-uncoating of the viron, but independent of the coreceptor needed for the virus to attatch.

I hope that helps. Do some research on how a viron attaches and replicates with a host cell, and this should make sence. If you do some looking you may find more info.
Jason
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"Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Homebrew!" Charlie Papazian

n/p

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"Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Homebrew!" Charlie Papazian

This question I posted on Bryan Fry's forums may help some.
Medical Breakthroughs