Science

Bosonic

(3,746 posts) Thu Oct 4, 2012, 11:51 AM Oct 2012

Black mamba venom is 'better painkiller' than morphine

A painkiller as powerful as morphine, but without most of the side-effects, has been found in the deadly venom of the black mamba, say French scientists.

The predator, which uses neurotoxins to paralyse and kill small animals, is one of the fastest and most dangerous snakes in Africa.

However, tests on mice, reported in the journal Nature, showed its venom also contained a potent painkiller.

They admit to being completely baffled about why the mamba would produce it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19812064

6 replies

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Highlight:

Black mamba venom is 'better painkiller' than morphine (Original Post) Bosonic Oct 2012 OP

This snake has more light libodem Oct 2012 #1

The painkiller is mother nature's mercy. MrSlayer Oct 2012 #2

There's a long history of no side effects painkillers where the side effects show up later dimbear Oct 2012 #3

Then again, death is pretty good at wiping out pain too! HopeHoops Oct 2012 #4

Convenient built-in drug injection mechanism! n2doc Oct 2012 #5

I worked on a clinical trial... rexcat Oct 2012 #6

libodem

(19,288 posts)

1. This snake has more light

Reply to Bosonic (Original post)

Thu Oct 4, 2012, 12:51 PM

Oct 2012

Reflected in it's eyes than those olive pits of, Eric Cantor's.

Appears to have much more compassion as well.

MrSlayer

(22,143 posts)

2. The painkiller is mother nature's mercy.

Reply to Bosonic (Original post)

Thu Oct 4, 2012, 02:55 PM

Oct 2012

It's bad enough you're going to get eaten, you shouldn't have to feel it.

Scientists.

dimbear

(6,271 posts)

3. There's a long history of no side effects painkillers where the side effects show up later

Reply to Bosonic (Original post)

Thu Oct 4, 2012, 03:42 PM

Oct 2012

after a lot of study. Just saying. See cocaine.

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)

4. Then again, death is pretty good at wiping out pain too!

Reply to Bosonic (Original post)

Fri Oct 12, 2012, 04:41 PM

Oct 2012

It does sort of make sense though. Paralysis helps with finalizing the kill. Still, I think I'll stick with opiates for now.

n2doc

(47,953 posts)

5. Convenient built-in drug injection mechanism!

Reply to Bosonic (Original post)

Mon Oct 22, 2012, 06:06 PM

Oct 2012

Hard to get the dose right, though.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)

6. I worked on a clinical trial...

Reply to Bosonic (Original post)

Mon Oct 22, 2012, 08:24 PM

Oct 2012

where we used a ligand of the poison arrow frog. The indication was for diabetic neuropathy pain. The phase I trials looked really good but in Phase II about half of the subjects were throwing up. The subjects who did not throw up got extraordinary pain relief for the first time in years. Unfortunately for the ones who were throwing up was severe and constant. None the less the trial was stopped.

I never take anything for granted until it gets to Phase III clinical trials or even on the market and then see what happens one year out post-marketing. I have been involved in too many "this is the best drug ever developed" clinical trials then something pops up and the trial is stopped.

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