Scientists have found out that snail's venom is one way to treat chronic illnesses. It is better than narcotics that damage the human body, they added.
It is the Conus reguis' venom that might possibly treat chronic illnesses, Engadget reported. Though that snail has been deemed dangerous and many other negative things, there is a high hope that it will end the use of narcotics. Scientists from the University of Utah have suggested that it can be used to develop a new way of treating patients of chronic pain.
Rg1A is the compound from the venom that will work differently than narcotic drugs, The University of Utah explained. It will hinder the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), which is a type of way to pain receptors. Patients with the disease do not have to take opioid that are being used to treat chronic illnesses.
BBC has reported that most medicines for moderate to severe pain are called opioids. They lessen the perception of pain. Opioids attach themselves to opioid receptors that are found in proteins in the body of the patients. "What is particularly exciting about these results is the aspect of prevention. Once chronic pain has developed, it is difficult to treat," J Michael McIntosh, professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah Health Sciences, said.
The experiment was done to rats. They found out the rats that are given morphine and other opioids have other side effects like being cold and very sensitive to touch. Meanwhile, the rats that are given the venom are fine. Even after four to five days, the venom compound still works like a miracle.
This venom compound is definitely a better treatment than the dangerous drugs that are being abused by many users. Scientists will continue to develop it and many other safer treatments for chronic illnesses.
