Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, led by Professor Rafael Guido, have found that a molecule found inside the venom of the greyhound viper prevents monkeys from spreading the corona virus 75 percent.
In other words, a small dose of the molecule from the venom dramatically lowered the ability of the virus to bind to the cells in the human body.
"We have discovered that this special molecule prevents one of the corona's important proteins from evolving," said Prof. Guido, who published an article on the discovery in the scientific journal Molecules.
As mentioned, the new discovery was demonstrated in monkeys infected with the virus, and now the researchers will test the molecule in the lab and test its effectiveness on human cells as well.
The test will also deal with the correct dose to be given to a person infected with corona to stop it.
Beyond that, the researchers will also test whether the molecule only prevents the virus from multiplying or whether it even protects the body from penetrating it.
In any case, the researchers emphasize: "People should not now run to the forests to hunt these snakes. Drinking their venom would not be a good and even dangerous idea, and that too would be a harm to a protected animal.
"What we tested is just one molecule of the venom and it can be synthetically produced in the laboratory, if it is proven that it is indeed an effective drug against the virus."
The guinea pig, is a snake that reaches a length of two meters and its living space is in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.
