Sydney: Scientists have discovered a new antidote to cobra venom.
Every year, thousands of people die from snake bites, and about 100,000 people die of tissue and cell death due to envenomation, which can later lead to amputation.
Now researchers have discovered a common blood thinner that can be used as an antidote.
Research has shown that the drug heparin can be used as a cheap antidote to snake venom, which can reduce the number of people affected by snake bites.
Current antidotes for snake venom are extremely expensive and do not effectively treat decay of the flesh at the site of the bite.
Professor Greg Nelle, from the university, said: “Our discovery could reduce the number of wounds caused by rotting flesh from cobra bites, which could improve survival rates.”
Scientists used a gene-editing technology called CRISPR to find ways to block the effect of cobra venom. Scientists used heparin and related drugs again and found that the decaying flesh caused by cobra bites could be prevented.
