Mamba venom being researched for pain relief
By Cindy Steinle · October 24, 2012 9:18 am
Venomous snakes can kill, but they can also cure.
From CNN.com:
The venom of the black mamba snake, one of the world's deadliest poisons administered by one of the world's deadliest reptiles, can kill you within half an hour. Untreated bites have a mortality rate of 100%. Hidden in the grim cocktail the snake carries, though, are a couple of proteins with a remarkably different effect. Research published this week in Nature has revealed two molecules in mamba venom that can eliminate pain with as much potency as morphine, suggesting an unusual new source for painkillers.To read the full article, click here.
