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A study has shown that the venom of Brazilian vipers can become an important tool in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Brazilian researchers have found that a molecule in the venom of a type of snake called pit jararacussu inhibited the reproduction of the coronavirus in monkey cells and can multiply by 75%.
The study, published in the scientific journal Molecules, said the molecule is a peptide, or chain of amino acids, which can connect to a coronavirus enzyme called PLPro, which is vital for the virus to reproduce, without harming to other cells.
The peptide already known for its antibacterial qualities can be synthesized in the laboratory.
Hoping to test the substance in human cells, scientists will then assess the effectiveness of different doses of the molecule.
According to a statement from the State University of Sao Paulo (Unesp), only the evacuation can verify if it is able to prevent the virus from entering cells in the first place.
The jararacussu is one of the largest snakes in Brazil, measuring up to 6 feet (2 meters) long. It lives in the coastal Atlantic Forest and is also found in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.
(With contributions from agencies)
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