Posted on 10/11/2012 9:58:39 PM PDT by neverdem
"But a team of researchers in France found that compounds in the snake’s venom have the same pain-banishing effect on mice that morphine does."
That implies they separated at least two potential analgesics in their venom, and they found some way to separate and purify it, or the rats should be dead.
My guess is they used high pressure liquid chromatography for starters, and if they got nice distinct fractions that would show up on a graph as peaks, then they tested each serially collected fraction according to its peak for analgesia.
Once they got the molecular structure nailed down with other analytical techniques, they might try to modify chemically whatever analgesics they found.
I have snakes.
I wouldn’t say I’m “fanatical” about them.
I like them and am fascinated by their incredible biomechanics.
However, snake venom is already being used in blood thinners, cancer treatments, stroke treatments and many other ‘medical miracles’.
Funny how God would create such a wonderous creature, full of potential medical breakthroughs yet so many people stomp them wholesale out of fear and ignorance.
Along with albino Diamondbacks, my friend/feeder supplier/snake breeder has Gaboons.
Beautiful things....viewed from outside their enclosures.
He has a tub full of Gaboon fangs.
Impressive things.
A little known fact about Mambas; they’re avid soccer fans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnpYGKqpdk
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.