Find the substance that neutralizes the viper's venom in the fruit

The new discovery will help reduce the risk of death and serious injury from the bites of one of South America's deadliest venomous snakes.

Research conducted by the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo and published last week in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology has discovered that a modified version of the rutin compound - known as water-soluble succinyl rutin - has the ability to disable Bothrops jararaca viper venoms over a period of time.

Bothrops jararaca viper.

Bothrops jararaca is a powerful venomous snake found in many South American countries. In Brazil alone, they are responsible for about 26,000 bites recorded each year, according to the Online Reptile Database.

Typical symptoms caused by a Bothrops jararaca bite include local swelling, purpura, bruising and blistering of the limbs, spontaneous bleeding in the gums and skin, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and non-clotting blood. If not treated promptly, the patient can have intracranial hemorrhage, hemostasis disorder, kidney failure and even death.

A researcher from the Butantan Institute analyzed samples of rutin found in the fruit.

The new finding will complement existing standard serum treatments, providing emergency relief for people bitten in remote areas where medical services are not immediately accessible.

"In this sense, rutin should act as an adjuvant, not as a serum substitute, but to help delay the effects of the venom and control bleeding and inflammation," said Marcelo Santoro, coordinator. of research, interpretation.

In the past, rutin has been shown to treat various diseases, such as diabetes, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. This compound can be found in fruits (apricots, berries, cherries, citrus), green vegetables, buckwheat, and herbs such as green and black tea.