Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains particularly in the back, and headaches. Symptoms typically improve within five days. In about 15% of people, within a day of improving the fever comes back, abdominal pain occurs, and liver damage begins causing yellow skin. If this occurs, the risk of bleeding and kidney problems is increased.The disease is caused by yellow fever virus and is spread ...

yellow fever

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Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

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The record for the world's most venomous snake is once again held by an Australian species - the inland or western taipan&nbsp;(Oxyuranus microlepidotus) - its venom is specialized in killing mammals as they are the snake's prey. It is estimated that one bite is enough to kill at least 100 people.

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, Australia is the homeland of the 10 most venomous snakes in the world.

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But snake venom contains a huge variety of molecules, which have a pharmacological effect, and its toxicity is associated with only a small number of them.

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Many of the toxins can be used for medical purposes due to their specific interaction with the body. And in this case the dose makes the poison. Of course, we are far from thinking that the bite of a venomous snake is a healthy practice.

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As early as the beginning of the 17th century, the anticoagulant action of snake venom was known. And today, drugs based on it are produced. These are Captopril, Aggrastat and Eptifibatide.

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In nature, there are many venomous organisms, besides snakes - scorpions, spiders, insects, amphibians and cone snails, the poisons of which can find application in biotechnology and pharmacy.

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Snake Venom In Antiquity And Folk Medicine

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The snake was considered a god of medicine in the ancient Greek world and it is still used these days as a symbol of medicine and pharmacy.

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In Ayurveda, cobra venom is used to treat joint pain, inflammation and arthritis. It has also been used for centuries in China to treat opium addiction and by Indians, who combine it with opium for pain relief.

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Other bodily fluids from snakes, such as blood and bile, are also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Snake_venom_components_and_their_applications_in_biomedicine_17103111" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]

What's-In-Snake-Venom

What's In Snake Venom

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According to some studies , more than 100 different substances are found in snake venom, with about 95% of the dry matter of the venom <a href="/p/kakva_ie_razlikata_miezhdu_bieltk_i_protiein_b1b6b96e_e340_46d2_9768_ac9fa8cd6adc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">consisting of proteins and peptides.</a>

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Some are enzymes,&nbsp;and other components in snake venom are nucleosides, metal cations, carbohydrates and very low levels of free amino acids and lipids with less biological activity.

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Most snake poisons contain proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes accelerate the breakdown of proteins in tissues to amino acids.

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Another type of enzymes found in almost all snake poisons are hyaluronidases, which are considered "spreading factors" as they damage the tissue at the site of the bite. This facilitates the spread of other toxins.

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Sodium is the most common cation in snake venom, but its role is unknown. Zinc and calcium are required for the activation of specific enzymes.

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The composition of snake venom differs between species, subspecies or even in the same species of snakes. These differences are related to many factors, including geographical distribution, age, gender and what the snake feeds on.

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Influence Of Snake Venom On The Body

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Biologically active substances in snake venom have several main effects:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Neurotoxicity (leads to neuromuscular paralysis),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Myotoxicity (toxicity to muscle cells),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cytotoxicity (kills cells, can be used in the treatment of cancer),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hemotoxicity - toxicity to the blood: clotting or blockage of blood clotting, hemorrhages or hemolysis, that is, degradation of red blood cells;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Antimicrobial activity - against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses such as HIV virus, hepatitis C virus, yellow fever, dengue and measles, some microscopic fungi and parasites causing malaria, leishmaniasis and American tripanosome.</li>
</ul>

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Medicines That Contain Snake Venom

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There are at least 8 drugs containing snake venom components. Most of them are used in practice, while others are still at the clinical trial stage. Here are these drugs [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Snake_Venoms_in_Drug_Discovery_Valuable_Therapeutic_Tools_for_Life_Saving_31557973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Captopril - from the highly venomous jararaca or yarara&nbsp;(Bothrops jararaca), used against high blood pressure (hypertension);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aggrastat, Tirofiban - from the Indian saw-scaled viper&nbsp;(Echis carinatus), for heart attack;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Integrilin, Eptifibatide - from the Barbour's pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri), in acute coronary syndrome;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Defibrase/Reptilase, Batroxobin - from the common lancehead&nbsp;(Bothrops atrox and Bothrops moojeni), in stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and myocardial infarction;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hemocoagulase - from the common lancehead&nbsp;(Bothrops atrox), used in plastic and abdominal surgery, as well as in vitrectomy (a type of eye surgery);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Exanta, Ximelagatran - from cobra, in thromboembolic complications and atrial fibrillation;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Alfimeprase - at the stage of a clinical study, from the eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), in acute peripheral arterial occlusion, also known as peripheral vascular disease;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Viprinex, Ancrod - at the stage of a clinical study, by the Malayan pit viper (Agkistrodon rhodostoma, syn. calloselasma rhodostoma), in acute ischemic stroke.</li>
</ul>

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Snake Venom As A Remedy For Cancer

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The anti-cancer properties of snake venom were first studied in the 1930s, but without much success. In 1936, cobra venom was used on cancer patients for pain relief. About 30% of patients experienced significant pain relief, 38% reported a satisfactory analgesic effect, and only about 13% had no definite results. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Snake_Venoms_in_Cancer_Therapy_Past_Present_and_Future_30158426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.3</a>]

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Some substances in snake venom have two main qualities, due to which it could be used in the treatment of cancer:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Inhibits angiogenesis, that is, the creation of new blood vessels, so necessary to feed the growing tumor and its spread to the surrounding tissues;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">It causes apoptosis - programmed cell death.</li>
</ul>

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Substances that are isolated from the poison of various types of snakes and possess the ability to suppress angiogenesis are proteins and are called disintegratins.

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Substances that cause apoptosis are also proteins, which include both disintegrines and L-amino acid oxidase (types of enzymes).

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Currently, scientists are working on how to direct the action of these substances from snake venom only to cancer cells, without affecting others and how the substances reach the cells in question to destroy them.

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The potential of snake venom is evidence of the richness of nature and folk medicine as a source of new discoveries applicable in modern medicine, including the treatment of some of the most insidious diseases - oncological.

The Healing Properties Of Snake Venom - From Ancient Times To Modern Cancer Treatment

https://d20hztklr4qnvi.cloudfront.net/32431b02-f4d1-4d58-b3d1-aef717a06432_middle.jpg

 The Healing Properties Of Snake Venom - From Ancient Times To Modern

Rositsa Tashkova-Kacharova

Nothing spoils the mood in spring and summer as annoying biting insects - which seem to fly on swarms to draw on our blood. However, itching is our smallest problem - mosquitoes and ticks are insidious in that they transmit dangerous diseases.

Ticks carry the following dangerous (deadly) diseases:

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lyme disease;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tick encephalitis;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Q-fever;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hemorrhagic fever with kidney syndrome;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marseilles fever and others.</li>
</ul>

Mosquitoes carry very dangerous diseases such as:

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Malaria;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">West Nile fever;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dengue;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Yellow fever.</li>
</ul>

Among the most effective repellents against these insects are chemical ones containing the substances DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, formerly known as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or icaridin (picaridin), but they are not always suitable for use.

DEET may show neurotoxicity in its use in combination with sunscreen and is not recommended in pregnant women unless it is extremely necessary and the risks of infection are greater than the risk of the chemical's effects on the foetus. It cannot be used in children under 2 years of age.

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Plant-based repellents are the alternative to chemical repellents (although their action, of course, is also due to chemicals ;) ). In the following lines we will consider which plants and substances from them offer protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and in some cases flies and biting midges. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Chemical_and_Plant_Based_Insect_Repellents_Efficacy_Safety_and_Toxicity_26827259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]

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Lemon-scented Gum Tree or Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

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The effect of lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora or Eucalyptus citriodora) is due to the substance p-mint-3,8-diol. It offers good protection against mosquitoes and ticks, which lasts up to 2 hours, protecting better from ticks compared to DEET. Also protects against biting midges.

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At home, a mixture of 1 part lemon eucalyptus oil and 10 parts of sunflower oil can be prepared. Apply as a spray.

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Not suitable for children under 3 years and sufferers of atopic dermatitis.

Permethrin

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The substance is derived from crushed dried colors of Dalmatian chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium). It is highly effective against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and biting midges, but it is applied to clothes, nets, sleeping bags, and not on the skin. It does not damage the fabrics of clothes and plastics. It is necessary to re-apply it only after 5-10 or more laundry cycles.

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It is even more effective when used in combination with other repellents that are put on the skin. In direct contact, it causes insect paralysis, leading to its death.

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Unfortunately, mosquito resistance to permethrin has been observed in recent years.

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Citronella

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It is extracted from lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) and offers weak protection only against mosquitoes for up to 2 hours. Its activity is due to the substance 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-al. It is used in the form of candles, oil or lotion.

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It can damage clothes and cause irritation on the skin, eyes or cause an allergy.

Essential-Oils

Essential Oils

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The most effective essential oils against mosquitoes are [ <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Plant_based_insect_repellents_a_review_of_their_efficacy_development_and_testing_21411012" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">geraniol,</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">mint oil</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">cedar oil,</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">patchouli (Pogostemon cablin),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">cloves (Syzygium aromaticum).</li>
</ul>

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Their activity varies between 60 and 180 minutes, since most of these essential oils are highly volatile and soon evaporate. This problem can be solved by using fixatives or careful formulation to improve durability.

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It should be considered that essential oils can irritate the skin and their repellent effect is variable depending on the formulation and concentration. The combination of essential oil and sun can lead to further irritation of the skin. Essential oils are never used directly on the skin undiluted, but always in combination with a carrier oil.

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How-To-Relieve-Itching-From-Bites

How To Relieve Itching From Bites

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Besides hydrocortisone cream from the pharmacy or calamine lotion, there are several homemade remedies that you can try to relieve unpleasant itching from bites:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Put a piece of raw onions on the site of the bite;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Put freshly chopped garlic on the bite;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Rub apple cider vinegar on the affected skin;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smear the bite with a paste of baking soda and water;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Put on a cold compress;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Place a chilled used bag of chamomile tea on the spot;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smear the bite with thyme tea;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smear the bite with a pre-prepared extract of St. John's wort in olive oil.</li>
</ul>

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If nothing helps, just try to focus your attention on something else and avoid scratching, because it will lead to skin damage and potential infection, as well as slower resolution of itching and discomfort.

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Nature offers several effective means to prevent attacks by mosquitoes, ticks and other bloodsuckers carrying severe diseases. However, in areas with a high prevalence of these infections, it is advisable to use chemical repellents such as DEET, which give greater certainty and long-lasting effect. This is especially true when travelling in some more exotic destinations.

yellow fever

How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes And Ticks And Stop The Itching With Natural Remedies