ANIMALS HEALING HUMANS
While much has been written about the therapeutic benefits of owning a pet, we can’t forget that there are other animals – and ones we don’t want to be around
DEATHSTALKER SCORPION- Detects Cancer Cells: Considered to be the third most deadly scorpion in the world. The venom, however, contains chlorotoxin, which has been used to mark cancerous brain tumors, that are sometimes too small to see, even with MRI scan. Studies are also being done to determine the venom’s usefulness in the treatment of diabetes.
CONE SNAIL- Used as a painkiller: Over 900 species are venomous.The Queen Victoria cone snail, which measures 35-95 mm, produces a peptide that has successfully been used to create the drug Ziconitide. It is used to treat the neuropathic pain of those recovering from surgery and as a painkiller that might be able to take the place of morphine. The venom of other cone snail species has been used to treat people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
FUNNEL WEB SPIDER- Prevents brain damage from strokes: There are 35 species that are all native to Australia, and the Sydney Funnel Web Spider is the considered to be the world’s deadliest with venom that can kill a human within 15 minutes. Scientist have found a component of the venom that appears to reduce brain damage of victims of strokes if administered within 4-8 hours.
PYGMY RATTLESNAKE- Prevents Blood Clots: As one aspect of the venom causes the victim to hemorrhage, the venom of pygmy rattlesnake has been used to produce eptifibatide, which is used to prevent the clotting of blood during a heart attack. Likewise, it can help to prevent blood clots.
SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK- Increases Efficacy of Vaccines: Is fished for its fins, which are used in shark fin soup, it also has a large liver than other sharks due to its size, so it ca provide large amounts of shark liver oil, which has been used for centuries to promote healing and digestion. It has a component called squalene, which has been successfully used as an adjuvant in vaccines, which makes them more effective.
LEECH- Helps reattach severed limbs- The use of leeches goes way back in time, with the first written record of their use being found in the ‘Sushruta Samhita’ and ancient Sanskrit text. Throughout history, however the use of leeches was associated with bloodletting which over time, was no longer used a cure. The leech has made a comeback in medicine with the specie ‘Hirudo Medicinalis’, which has been successfully used to reattach severed digits and close wounds. The leech bites are painless, some scientists believe that the saliva also contains a painkiller.
COHO SALMON- Prevents Osteoporosis- A very popular sport fish and was also valued among indigenous people in USA and Canada as it was used as an important item of trade. Humans produce a hormone called Calcitonin that helps to prevent bone loss, however, as some people their bodies need more than they can produce. Fish also produce calcitonin and the Coho Salmon’s called calcitonin-salmon. It has been used to produce a nose spray that is used to treat osteoporosis in older women.
GILA MONSTER- Regulates Insulin: There are only two lizards in the world that are venomous and the Gila Monster is one of them. Many peptides have been isolated from its venom, helping to manage Type 2 diabetes. It is 53% identical to a hormone released from the human digestive tract to aid in the regulation of insulin.
MAGGOTS-Cleanses Wounds: Have been used since ancient times, for healing wounds. And now been approved for use in the USA for the task of clearing away dead tissue. They also serve as an anti-bacterial agent, sometimes working better than antibiotics that may become resistant to certain strains.
HORSESHOE CRAB- Fights infection: Have blue blood, which is caused by the presence of iron used to carry oxygen to their body. While humans have white blood cells that fight infection, the horseshoe crab have amebocytes in its blood that do the same thing, contains a protein that is used to detect the presence of bacteria.
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