Brazilian snake venom could help fight COVID-19, study finds

Brazilian researchers find molecule in snake venom that could fight COVID-19. The discovery could be the first step towards a drug to fight the virus.

Scientists found that the molecule produced by the jararacussu snake inhibited the ability of the virus to spread in monkey cells by 75%. The study was published in the scientific publication Molecules this month.

Rafael Guido is a professor at the University of Sao Paulo and author of the study. He said that the molecule in the venom “was capable of inhibit a very important protein virus. “

The molecule is called a peptide, or a group of amino acids. The molecule is able to connect to a coronavirus enzyme called PLPro without harming other cells. PLPro is an important part of how the virus reproduces itself.

The peptide is already known to scientists for its ability to fight bacteria. Guido said the peptide can be made in the lab, so jararacussu snakes don’t need to be caught.

“Were mistrustful about people who go hunting jararacussu in Brazil, thinking that they will save the world, ”said zoologist Giuseppe Puorto of the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo. “It is not the venom itself that will cure the coronavirus,” he added.

The jararacussu is one of the largest snakes in Brazil and can grow up to 2 meters in length. It lives in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and is also found in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Researchers will test different amounts of the molecule and see if it is able to prevent the virus from entering cells.

They hope to one day test the molecule in human cells, but there are currently no plans to do so.

I am Dan Novak.

Leonardo Benassatto reported this story to Reuters. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor.

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Words in this story

venom – nm poison produced by an animal (such as a snake) and used to kill or injure another animal, usually by biting or biting it

inhibit – v. prevent (someone) from doing what they want to do

protein – nm a substance found in foods (such as meat, milk, eggs and beans) that is an important part of the human diet

amino acid – nm one of the many acids that occur naturally in living things which include some that form proteins

mistrustful – adj. not having or showing complete confidence in someone or something that could be dangerous or cause problems