London – The black mamba is one of the most lethal snakes in the world. But scientists believe a chemical in its deadly venom may have a rather strange effect on humans.
It is stronger than the painkiller morphine and has none of the side effects, such as headaches, muscle twitching and nausea.
The black mamba venom usually kills a victim within half an hour. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology in France admit to being baffled as to why the snake would also produce a potent painkiller.
The pain-killing proteins, called mambalgins, have been tested only on mice, but the scientists believe it should have the same effect on humans and could lead to “an entirely new class of analgesics”. – Daily Mail