The venom of a sea snail can cure cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure

This finding may explain some of the side effects of drugs that block potassium pathways, such as cardiovascular and high blood pressure medications, and allow the preparation of better drugs.

Israeli scientists have just announced a new discovery that the venom of sea cone snails could help prepare a new drug for patients with high blood pressure and heart abnormalities.

Some components of this venom only kill insects without affecting pets (Artwork).

The Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) said on October 24 that the discovery could also lead to safer making of natural insecticides, as some of the ingredients in this venom only kill insects. Does not affect pets.

The findings, published in the journal PNAS, may explain some of the side effects of potassium-blocking drugs, such as cardiovascular and high blood pressure medications, and allowing the manufacture of drugs. better.

The venom of many venomous animals paralyzes "victims" with poisons that block the passage of potassium ions into and out of cells, a mechanism known as a "bottleneck".

Potassium ducts are important cell structures that control the transmission of nerve signals, electrical stimuli of muscles and many other processes by allowing potassium ions to transport.

The researchers were surprised to find that the venom of a sea conch snail works in a completely different way, not by a bottleneck effect but by an unprecedented mechanism whereby the effect onto the periphery of the pipeline.

The results will allow testing to see if the side effects of drugs that block the potassium pathway stem from structural changes similar to those caused by the venom of the snail, thereby helping to protect cells. Preparing new medicines to reduce the above side effects of old medicines.

• Deadly truth inside the dazzling appearance of "killer" snails
• Pain relievers from sea snails