Chemist Arif Arrahman has conducted research into the harmful effects of snake venom and how we can better understand and combat them. Snakebites remain a major health problem in many parts of the world and can lead to paralysis, blood clotting problems, and even death.
The research focused on the following questions: Which toxins in snake venom cause these effects, and can we quickly identify them? Arrahman also investigated whether a small drug candidate called varespladib can block dangerous venom components, particularly those that affect blood clotting.
The researcher demonstrated that certain cobra venoms contain toxins that impair blood clotting, and that most of these toxins originate from a group of enzymes called PLA₂. The research also showed that varespladib can reduce or block these harmful effects in many cobra venoms. Furthermore, combining laboratory cell tests with zebrafish tests helped identify toxins that cause paralysis by affecting ion channels.
This knowledge can help doctors and healthcare providers treat snakebite victims more effectively, especially in rural areas. The results also support the development of varespladib as a potential first-aid treatment before patients reach the hospital. Besides snakebites, pharmaceutical researchers can benefit from this, as toxins with potent effects on the body can inspire new drugs.
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