The director of the medicinal plant research complex of South Khorasan Academic Jihad emphasized;

   According to the public relations report of Jihad University of South Khorasan; Snake venom is an oily liquid and depending on the type of snake, it is white to bright yellow, clear or cloudy and slightly acidic. Snake venom is a mixture of complex protein substances with toxic and enzymatic properties and non-protein substances.

Venom is a substance rich in enzymes, there are about 26 types of enzymes in snake venom. About 90 to 92% of the dry weight of poison is made up of protein substances, some of which affect the nervous system, some of which change the permeability of the cell membrane, and some of which cause the destruction of muscle fibers.
Scientists have discovered that the use of the venom of a deadly snake can save the lives of thousands of patients from death. An example is the taipan snake venom, which contains a miraculous protein and immediately coagulates the blood. This protein, which is called Riks factor, can be used to stop bleeding during heart surgery and surgery on those injured in accidents.

The first venom-based drug developed and approved by the FDA was captopril, derived from the Brazilian python, used to treat high blood pressure. Snakes use their venom very carefully, which is injected into their bodies to incapacitate their prey or defend themselves against predators.

Mohsen Pouyan, Director of Jihad Medicinal Plants Research Complex of South Khorasan University, said: Currently, research is being done on various snake venoms to discover anti-cancer properties and produce new antibiotics, so that by taking one or two pills, diseases can be cured and no need to Do not take the full dose of therapeutic drugs.

He said: So far, 10 new species of reptiles such as snakes and lizards have been identified by the General Department of Environmental Protection in the province, and one of these new species is the Iranian horned viper, whose poison has been taken and research is being conducted on it.

According to this researcher, medicines can be produced from the venom of the rattlesnake to treat breast cancer, from the venom of the viper to treat heart attack and high blood pressure, from the venom of the cobra to treat arthritis, and from the venom of the king cobra to treat nervous diseases.

He stated: Snake venom is usually used in powder form, and of course there is a market for smuggling it abroad for smugglers. This poison is usually smuggled to Pakistan from Iran and South Khorasan.

The director of the Jihad Medicinal Plants Research Complex of South Khorasan University stated in this context: In the Middle East region, Pakistan is very active in extracting snake venom and producing various medicines from it. Turkey is also conducting research work on snake venom, European countries are also producing all kinds of drugs from snake venom on a large scale and mainly supply the snake venom needed by their pharmaceutical industries from the Middle East.

Areas such as Shaskuh in Kainat, Mazhari Ferdows, Ark and Karang in Khosuf and Nehbandan Stand are among the places where valuable snakes have been reported.

Translator: Painaz Nosrati