The poison of a scorpion is an anesthetic ...

The poison of a scorpion, as is known, is dangerous to a life, but substances in its structure can be used as alternative sedative, scientists of Tel Aviv University.

Experts want to develop the new anesthetic preparations similar to Morphinum or soma, on the basis of the natural bonds found in a poison of a scorpion. Now the medical community aspires to find more safe anesthetic, than opiates. Some components of a poison of a scorpion have shown high efficiency against painful signs without collateral consequences.
Peptide toxins in a poison co-operate with sodium channels in nervous and muscular systems, some of which influence painful sensations. Mammals have such nine channels, from their number only the concrete subtype informs to our brain a signal on a pain. Experts try to understand, how toxins in a poison of a scorpion work with sodium channels at molecular level and, in particular, as some of toxins differ among channel subtypes. If to change work of such toxins, their action will amplify and becomes specific to the certain sodium channels carrying a role of the intermediary for symptoms of a pain. Then clinicians can simulate the toxins of a scorpion referred only against a pain.

Biologists have studied the Israeli yellow scorpion - one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world as its poison contains over 300 peptides from which only insignificant part is known for properties scientist. Toxins of this scorpion are transformed throughout hundreds millions years under selective pressure and possess an extensive arsenal of active components. During these processes some toxins evolved with possibility immediately to affect subtypes of sodium channels. Inhabitants of Ancient China, actually founders of alternative medicine, still recognised hundred years ago useful medical properties of a poison of a scorpion. Now doctors at last have proved, that the poison of a scorpion possesses powerful anesthetic potential - having applied knowledge of its structure, clinicians can modify poison elements, having eliminated its dangerous effects.

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