Snail toxin
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:06 pm
This isn't even in clinical trials, but it sounds promising -- treats neuropathic pain AND accelerates recovery from nerve injury...I hear rumours that it might bring about world peace too...
Snail toxin may help neuropathic pain
June 10 -- UPI -- Melbourne researchers' discovery of a cone snail toxin may help ease pain for neuropathic pain associated with diabetes.
Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited says successful results in preclinical trials of the toxin will result in clinical trials in humans later this month.
The safety of the toxin will be tested first in healthy males, and later it will be tested on treating the neuropathic pain associated with diabetes.
Bruce Livett, of the University of Melbourne, says the toxin, called ACV1, also has potential to treat a range of other painful conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, shingles and sciatica.
"ACV1 has been shown to be effective in treating pain in several experimental animal models of human pain syndromes, including post-surgical and neuropathic pain," Livett said in a statement. "In addition, it has the unique property that it appears to accelerate the rate of recovery from a nerve injury."
Neuropathic pain is the most difficult form to treat and typically responds poorly to conventional painkillers such as morphine or aspirin.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking ... -5251r.htm
Snail toxin may help neuropathic pain
June 10 -- UPI -- Melbourne researchers' discovery of a cone snail toxin may help ease pain for neuropathic pain associated with diabetes.
Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited says successful results in preclinical trials of the toxin will result in clinical trials in humans later this month.
The safety of the toxin will be tested first in healthy males, and later it will be tested on treating the neuropathic pain associated with diabetes.
Bruce Livett, of the University of Melbourne, says the toxin, called ACV1, also has potential to treat a range of other painful conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, shingles and sciatica.
"ACV1 has been shown to be effective in treating pain in several experimental animal models of human pain syndromes, including post-surgical and neuropathic pain," Livett said in a statement. "In addition, it has the unique property that it appears to accelerate the rate of recovery from a nerve injury."
Neuropathic pain is the most difficult form to treat and typically responds poorly to conventional painkillers such as morphine or aspirin.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking ... -5251r.htm