TITLE:
Medical Science Turns Deadly Substances into Life Saving Ones: Snake Venom as a Treatment Option
AUTHORS:
Somia Gul, Nameera Ahmad, Urooba Iqbal, Bushra Rubab
KEYWORDS:
Snake Venom, Cancer, Hypertension, Diabetes, Medicines
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.3,
March
5,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: The word “venom” has always been taken as the synonym for poison or a vile liquid with catastrophic effects. Out of several different venomous creatures, snakes have perked special interest of scientists and researchers in this matter across the world. Many scientists and researchers around the world are trying to explore and put forward the positive aspects of snake venom and in the past years they have come to the conclusion that snake venom has some potential effects against serious ailments like cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Objective: The aim of current research is to make people realize that the snake venom, despite being a deadly poison, may prove to be a treatment option in several rather incurable diseases. Methodology: A survey was conducted that was based on 200 (n = 200) people including common public, medical students and health practitioners to know their general opinion and to awake people regarding the beneficial aspects of snake venom. Result: The study shows that about 48.5% of them think that snake venom can be used for beneficial purposes, while 31% think of it only as a deadly poison, whereas 20.5% of the people have absolutely no idea about it. The researchers believe that proteins like “eristostatin” and “contortrostatin” found in the venoms of Asian sand viper and South American rattlesnake respectively have the ability to fight against cancers. “Mambalgins” (from the venom of black mamba) are believed to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Venoms are also being used in skin care products. Conclusion: We conclude that medical practitioners should come forward and explore more on this topic, so that maybe snake venom can prove to be another successful source of medication for several serious diseases.