Why in news
Researchers found tinzaparin, a drug commonly used to prevent blood clots, significantly reduced damage to human cells caused by spitting cobra venom;
The scientists have filed for a patent and may start human clinical trials soon
What is tinzaparin
Tinzaparin is used for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis, a condition in which harmful blood clots form in the blood vessels of the legs.
These blood clots can travel to the lungs and can become lodged in the blood vessels of the lungs, causing a condition called pulmonary embolism.
Limitations of current antivenom treatment
Current antivenoms :
can have severe side effects in humans;
some of them could be fatal
are expensive
Difficulties in production, storage, transportation, and administration
Benefits of tinzaparin
Skin damage resulting from the venom was much less when it is provided with the drug
Tinzaparin could protect cells subjected to the snake venom even when it is introduced an hour after the cells had been exposed to the venom.
Tinzaparin — is inexpensive, widely available
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