Saturday, October 05, 2013

Component of Centipede Venom Blocks Pain Better Than Morphine

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and The University of Queensland have discovered a [a component of ] venom from centipedes [is] capable of blocking pain more effectively than morphine!

[...]

Certain voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav1.7) are involved in the sensation of pain. In fact, people with mutated Nav1.7 channels are insensitive to pain. In a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA this week, researchers purified a component of the venom that can specifically inhibit Nav1.7 sodium channels. In the article, they describe it as “a highly selective inhibitor of Nav1.7 that is a more effective analgesic than morphine in rodent pain models.” Prior inhibitors of Nav1.7 channels have been less specific resulting in undesirable side effects. The good news about this new peptide is that it is more specific and according to the results of this study had no negative side effects on blood pressure, heart rate or motor function.

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