Venom Gel from Venomous Snakes Has Life-Saving Properties to Heal Wounds

The University of Queensland discovered that venom gel derived from Australia's saw-scaled and eastern brown vipers could help control uncontrolled bleeding that would otherwise lead to the death of a patient.

The researchers explained that this is possible because the venom of reptiles has the proteins that are essential in blood clotting.

Venom Gel

After receiving positive feedback in its peer reviews, a type of "venom gel" is now being developed by the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN).

When stored at cooler temperatures, the "potent" venom gel remains in a liquid state but solidifies at body temperature. This property makes it possible for the gel to seal the wound.

Once the development of the venom gel is complete, it could eventually be sold in pharmacies and included in first-aid kits. More importantly, it can be used to stop bleeding by paramedics or even by military personnel in combat zones.

Amanda Kijas, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from the university, pointed out that about 40% of trauma-related deaths are due to uncontrolled bleeding.

Kijas added that when it comes to military personnel with severe bleeding in combat zones, the figure could be much higher.

Her team hopes that the venom gel they created will aid in speeding up wound-healing processes such as clotting and blood flow reduction, allowing the human body to heal large wounds faster.

Kijas also explained that when venom gel is applied, there will be three times faster clot formation and have five times less blood loss than when the body's natural process is used.

She added that this scope includes those who take blood thinners and even those with hemophilia.

The team is also looking into possibilities for the technology, venom gel, which could be used to treat trauma injuries and burns.

Kijas continues to say that nature has created the most sophisticated and elegant mechanisms, which can be repurposed to save people from death.

The venom gel is currently undergoing its pre-clinical testing phase and will eventually be scaled up for commercial use, Nine News reports.

Second- Deadliest

Eastern brown snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, except in alpine areas and rainforests. The species, on the other hand, appear to prefer open environments such as scrublands, woodlands, and savannah grasslands.

The abundance of rodents has boosted the number of eastern brown snakes in Australia. Even though brown snakes provide free pest control to farmers and landowners, the species is still widely regarded as dangerous pests.

Brown snakes hunt by seeking prey and lurking in hiding spots. They have excellent vision, and once they detect prey, they will pursue it and subdue it with venom and constriction. Eastern Browns primarily hunt during the day. In extremely hot weather, they may postpone foraging until late afternoon or early evening.

Australia's eastern brown snake is the world's second-deadliest land snake. When a bite goes untreated, it can kill in less than half an hour.