The venom of one of world’s deadliest snakes could relieve pain

A snake with the largest venom glands in the world could hold the answer to pain relief, scientists have found.

Dubbed the “killer of killers”, the long-glanded blue coral snake is known to prey on the likes of king cobras, according to BBC.

Venom from the 2m-long (6ft 6in) snake native to South East Asia acts “almost immediately” and causes prey to spasm.

New research published in the journal Toxin found it targets receptors which are critical to pain in humans and could be used as a method of treatment.

“Most snakes have a slow-acting venom that works like a powerful sedative. You get sleepy, slow, before you die,” said researcher Dr Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland.

“This snake’s venom, however, works almost immediately because it usually preys on very dangerous animals that need to be quickly killed before they can retaliate. It’s the killer of killers.”

Turning into medicine?

Cone snails and scorpions are some of a handful of invertebrates whose venom has been studied for its medical use. However, as a vertebrate, the snake is evolutionarily closer to humans, and so a medicine developed from its venom could potentially be more effective, says Dr Fry.

“The venom targets our sodium channels, which are central to our transmission of pain. We could potentially turn this into something that could help relieve pain, and which might work better on us.”

The snake’s venom glands extend to up to one-quarter of its body length.

“It’s got freaky venom glands, the longest of any in the world, but it’s so beautiful. It’s easily my favourite species of snake,” said Dr Fry.

It is the first vertebrate in the world known to have venom acting this way, according to Dr Fry.

But the snake is rare: more than 80% of its habitat has been destroyed.

“Much of their homes have been cleared to make way for things such as palm plantations in South East Asia. Who knows what else was in that forest that could’ve potentially saved lives?”

 

H.Z

 

You might also like
Latest news
Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the latest wave of Israeli attacks on Syria A ship, carrying 147 heavy vehicles, arrives at Lattakia port to support Syria's transport sector Israeli occupation fires artillery shells on Tal al-Jumu' area in Daraa, makes incursion into Sad al... Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam congratulates Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Eid Al-Fitr More than 14 Israeli airstrikes target Hama military airport and the Scientific Research Center in D... Anticipated meeting between Presidents al-Sharaa and Trump in Saudi Arabia next month Governor of Hama visits families in displacement camps in Syria's northern region on the occasion of... Syrian faces South Sudan in the Arab Cup qualifiers German Foreign Ministry welcomes the formation of the new Syrian government  Ukraine Welcomes the Formation of the New Syrian Government Israeli occupation kills and injures dozens of Palestinians in Gaza during the past 24 hours Charities in Homs arry out Humanitarian Initiatives for Orphaned Children and Elderly Israeli Occupation detains a citizen from Koya village in Daraa Al-Shibani: Growing international support for new Syrian government will help lift sanctions, suppor... Dujarric: UN Special Envoy for Syria encourages Syrian authorities' efforts towards credible, inclus... Heads of Christian communities in Aleppo congratulate the Governor on Eid al-Fitr Landmine explosion injures 7 people in Aleppo countryside UK Minister for Middle East meets with representatives of Syrian civil society Jordan and Syria have signed 88 contracts in the joint Free Zone since the beginning of 2025 German Channel Documents Israeli Occupation Forces' violations and Incursions into Buffer Zone