Antarctic Octopus Venom Medicine for Liver Disease

Liver disease or hepatitis, up to now is one type of infectious diseases that are difficult to cure. Especially for people who have reached stage four stages, heart function was almost defunct. In addition to the forms of treatment, the most expensive therapy is liver transplantation. To this can only be done by people with money, because the cost is very expensive.

For the first time, pharmaceutical researchers from several world renowned universities to conduct research to find drugs effective against this disease. The experts looked at the octopus venom that has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment by Viking tribes. They meyatukan understanding, about the toxic properties as a potential resource for drug development.

The study, conducted by an international pharmaceutical research team was a mix of experts from the University of Melbourne, University of Technology Utretch, Norwegian University of Science and the University of Hamburg, examines the nature of the Antarctic octopus venom.

The Adelieledone polymorpha octopus comes equipped with an anti-freeze venom. (Picture from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)

In the ocean depths with temperatures below zero degrees, there are four species of octopus. Venom has long been recognized as a potentially valuable resource for drug development. But scientists have recently discovered a small proportion utility for treatment. Though still a lot of family octopus like cuttlefish, squid, and jellyfish venom has unique properties, especially the species that live in sub-zero degree temperatures.

Dr Bryan Fry, team leader of the Institute of Bio-21 said, this venomous beast to its toxic nature and the mystery remains clouded in-depth research is still needed. Particularly with respect to how the nature and strength of their toxins which have adapted to live under the influence of zero temperature, which in most venom will lose its function.

Fry said, have discovered a new type of small proteins in the venom octopus, with a very interesting activity. This protein is thought to have potential in drug design, but for more details will be revealed after more detailed studies. The next study is an understanding of the structure and workings of the poison, which is found in all octopuses can help be a cure for joint pain, allergies and liver cancer.

Through funding from the Australian Antarctic Division, the team collected 203 tail octopus from Antarctic waters. They then classify profiles based on genetic characteristics, and its toxic specimens were identified in the laboratory. "It was not just the Antarctic octopus venom that has unique properties. Out there are many other species, which have toxic properties of proteins more than expected." From the sequence kingdomnya, some squid venomous shows they have a venomous ancestor, too. The results of biochemical studies on the nature of the poison, which has the potential for cancer drug ingredients, will be published in the Journal of Molecular Evolution later this year.

Fry, an expert of Biochemistry at the Bio-21 Institute, the University of Melbourne, argued, blue-ringed octopus species, is the only group that is very dangerous to humans. This species uses its venom to paralyze or even kill their prey. A clam when exposed to poison sting will be paralyzed, and the shells will open because syarafaya paralyzed.

"Venom is a toxic protein from the octopus, have special functions such as paralyzing the central nervous system. *** [FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DEDI RISKOMAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 22122011]