Brazil studies the venom peptide molecule of “Agkistrodon lanceus” and successfully inhibits 75% COVID-19 in monkeys

The research team of the Institute of Physics of the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil found that the “peptide” molecule produced by a venom called “jararacussu” successfully inhibited the reproduction of 75% of COVID-19 in monkeys, which may be the first step to develop a drug to fight against COVID-19.

Research in the scientific journal Molecular pointed out that the venom of “Agkistrodon lanceus” has a molecule that can inhibit the proliferation of COVID-19. This molecule is a “peptide” or “branched chain amino acid”, which can connect with a coronavirus enzyme called “PLPro”, and further inhibit the propagation of the virus without harming other cells. It successfully inhibits the propagation of 75% of COVID-19 in monkeys.

Rafael Guido, associate professor of the Institute of Physics at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, said that the research team could prove that this component of snake venom can inhibit a very important protein in the virus, and this “peptide” molecule has antibacterial properties and can be synthesized in the laboratory, so it is unnecessary to hunt the “spear head agkistrodon halys”.

Pluto, a herpetologist at the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil, said that the research did not mean that the venom of the “Agkistrodon lanceus” itself could cure the coronavirus, because he was very worried that people would go out to hunt the “Agkistrodon lanceus”, believing that it could save the world. Therefore, he emphasized that this was not the case.

The University of Sao Paulo in Brazil issued a statement saying that researchers will next evaluate the effectiveness of different doses of “peptide” molecules, and confirm whether they can stop viruses from entering cells at the first time. In the future, they hope to test and research in human cells, but did not give a specific time table.

Agkistrodon spearhead is one of the largest venomous snakes in Brazil, with a body length of up to 2 meters. It lives in the forests along the Atlantic coast, as well as in Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.