Mexico.- Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico found that alacrán venom could have positive effects to be used as an antibiotic against tuberculosis and golden staphylococcus. Experts at the UNAM Institute of Biotechnology found, isolated and patented two substances in scorpion venom that are also effective in inhibiting the growth of some cancer cells.
Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, with 45,000 people dying every day, and it is contracted by approximately 30 thousand, although it is preventable and curable. Help. Click the Google News star and follow us
The sutancias would also be effective in the treatment to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, the research was led by Lourival Domingos Possani Postay. For more than four decades, the Possani Postay team has studied the structure of Mexico’s scorpion poisons and 16 other nations. This work has allowed the recognition of the researcher, nationally and internationally, for his contributions to the development of state-of-the-art antivenoms. In 2016, the National Center for Preventive Programs and Disease Control (CENAPRECE) reported two thousand,569 TB deaths in Mexico, and 21,184 new cases across the country. Veracruz, Baja California, Guerrero, Tamaulipas and Sonora are the most affected states.
New university compounds can help solve this problem, an important public health step. The first of the compounds discovered is red, and was called 3.5- dimethoxy-2-(methylthio) cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione. Laboratory tests showed that it is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, bacteria that cause skin infections, sepsis, endocarditis and pneumonia. The second is blue and was named 5-methoxy-2,3- bis (methylthio) cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione, effective against the mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis.” This product does not affect the epithelial tissue of the lung. It was applied via tracheal in biological models, without causing harm, which is very promising,” he said. The group of Mexican researchers initially discovered that scorpion venom changed color after being exposed to air, and by studying it they verified that red and blue compounds were promising in biological trials to look for their possible effect on tumor cell growth, modulation of immune response and with a possible antibiotic effect.
This note includes information from:
DGCS UNAM
