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Brazilian researchers have found that a peptide molecule in the venom of a highly venomous snake could present a possible first step towards a drug to combat the virus causing Covid-19.
Jararacussu pit viper
The study was published in the scientific journal Molecules in August.
According to Reuters, the peptide molecule produced by the deadly jararacussu pit viper inhibited coronavirus reproduction in monkey cells by 75 per cent.
The jararacussu is one of the largest snakes in Brazil, measuring up to six feet (almost two-meters) long.
Rafael Guido, author of the study and professor at the University of Sao Paulo told Reuters in a video interview:
"We were able to see that the peptides in the venom not only inhibited the development of the virus in vitro, inside the cell, but we were also able to see here in the lab that it was able to inhibit one of the proteins that is very important for the virus's ability to multiply."
The peptide (i.e. a short chain of amino acids) was found to be able to connect to an enzyme of the coronavirus called PLPro, which is vital to coronavirus reproduction, without hurting other cells.
Antibacterial qualities
In the study, the researchers noted that peptide-based therapeutics have been widely studied and developed to treat viral infection.
"In recent years, peptide-based therapeutics have been widely studied and developed to treat infectious diseases, including viral infections."
In the video interview with Reuters, Guido also said that the peptide in question is already known for its antibacterial qualities, and stressed that the peptide can be synthesised in the laboratory, making the capture or raising of snakes unnecessary.
Giuseppe Puorto, a herpetologist running the Butantan Institute's biological collection in Sao Paulo, emphasised that there's no need to go out looking for the viper, as "it's not the venom itself that will cure the coronavirus":
"We are afraid that people will go hunting for the jararacussu all over Brazil, thinking it will save the world or themselves, their family. That's not the case. Is this an important discovery? Without a doubt it is. But chasing after the animal is not how this pandemic will be resolved."
According to a statement from the State University of Sao Paulo, the researchers will next evaluate the efficiency of different doses of the peptide, and whether it is able to prevent the virus from entering cells in the first place, said Reuters.
The hope is to test the substance in human cells, although no timeline was given.
Top image via Ian Thompson Facebook
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