We change morphines to mambalgins
Biologists have turned black mamba venom into a powerful analgesic
The black mamba is considered one of the most dangerous and venomous snakes found in Africa. Its venom contains a whole set of neuro- and cardiotoxins, even in the smallest amounts suppressing the work of nerve cells and the heart. The lethal dose of this poison is only 15 milligrams, while the snake injects about 400 milligrams of the mixture into its victim.
A group of biologists led by Eric Lingueglia from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology in Valbonne (France) studied the effect of various animal and plant poisons on the so-called acid-sensitive ion channels (ASICs) in nerve cells.
As biologists explain, it is these channels that are responsible for recognizing pain and transmitting a pain signal to the spinal cord and brain. Temporary blocking of their work leads to partial anesthesia, which is extremely difficult to achieve without damaging these channels for the rest of the patient's life.
Linguella and his colleagues found two proteins in the venom of the black mamba at once, capable of temporarily "disabling" acid-sensitive channels in nerve cells. Both of these substances belong to the family of three-loop proteins, similar in shape to a hand with three fingers. Scientists have assigned the names mambalgin-1 and mambalgin-2 to the discovered proteins.
According to them, mambalgins join and block the work of the three main subspecies of ASIC channels involved in the transmission of pain signals, and at the same time they do not interfere with the work of other components of the nervous system. In particular, mice and rats injected with mambalgins did not lose control of their bodies, did not experience breathing problems and did not die, as was the case with other components of the venom of mamba and other snakes.
Scientists tested mambalgins in action by following the reaction of mice, under the skin of whose feet a portion of irritating substances – formalin or carrageenan - was injected. Mambalgins exceeded all expectations of Linguella and his colleagues – they successfully suppressed pain with both local and general anesthesia.
Moreover, these substances proved to be more effective in suppressing pain compared to morphine and did not cause negative side effects of opioids. According to biologists, these proteins cause anesthesia in a slightly different way than opioids. This allows you to combine mambalgins with other drugs to achieve maximum anesthetic effect.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru04.10.2012