Scientists from the University of Sydney and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery in their study to find an antidote for poisonous cobra venom. They have found that the commonly used blood thinner "heparin" has the potential to be repurposed as a cost-effective antidote to reduce the effects of cobra venom.

Snakebite is responsible for numerous deaths every year. The cobra venom is considered the most deadly poison and can cause immediate death or necrosis (the death of cells or tissues in the body) of the flesh causing imputation. The currently available treatment is expensive and has failed in the treatment of necrosis. So, this discovery is a breakthrough in treating snake bites.

Professor Greg Neely, the corresponding author from the Charles Perkins Center and Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney, stated, "Our discovery could drastically reduce the terrible injuries from necrosis caused by cobra bites—and it might also slow the venom, which could improve survival rates." 

The research was published in the Science Translational Medicine and the team included scientists from different parts of the World including Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the UK.

poisonous Cobra venom
Image Source:Wildlife SOS

The scientists employed CRISPR gene-editing technology to discover methods to inhibit the effects of cobra venom. They succeeded in repurposing Heparin (a common blood thinner)to stop the necrosis which happens by cobra bites.

Tian Du, the lead author and a PhD student said, "Heparin is inexpensive, ubiquitous and a World Health Organisation-listed Essential Medicine. After successful human trials, it could be rolled out relatively quickly to become a cheap, safe and effective drug for treating cobra bites."

Current Limitations: Effectiveness of Antivenoms for Cobra Venom

Professor Nicholas Casewell, who serves as the Head of the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and is also a joint corresponding author, stated that "Snakebites remain the deadliest of the neglected tropical diseases, with its burden landing overwhelmingly on rural communities in low- and middle-income countries."

poisonous cobra venom.
Image Source:BBC Wildlife Magazine

He further claimed that "our findings are exciting because current antivenoms are largely ineffective against severe local envenoming, which involves painful progressive swelling, blistering and/or tissue necrosis around the bite site. This can lead to loss of limb function, amputation and lifelong disability."

Addressing the WHO's concern about deaths from snake bites, Professor Neely said, "That target is just five years away now. We hope that the new cobra antidote we found can assist in the global fight to reduce death and injury from snakebite in some of the world's poorest communities."

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