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Animal venom could be a drug to treat diabetes
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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The incidence of diabetes in the world is rapidly growing, while scientists simply do not have time to create new medications to treat the pathology. Such recent developments as replacing the affected pancreas with an artificial one, or installing a modern pump, are recognized as too complex and practically inaccessible for most patients.
The new development of specialists is an effective and unique drug based on a poisonous substance. Such a substance is contained inside the spurs on the paws of the platypus.
The platypus is a very interesting ancient animal, which is a kind of symbol of Australia. It is a mammal, but is capable of secreting poison.
The platypus has electrical receptors, and the number of chromosomes it has is not two, like humans, but ten. Biologically, it has a little bit of a bird, a little bit of a reptile and a little bit of a mammal. The poison secreted by the animal has interesting properties, which makes it possible to use it in medicine.
This poison does not pose a mortal danger to humans. However, the sensations after accidentally getting the substance from the spurs of a male platypus are not entirely pleasant.
Ten years ago, scientists sequenced the animal's genome. After some time, one of the researchers, Dr. Frank Grutzner, representing Australia's University of Adelaide, used the information obtained to create a new, effective drug for treating diabetes.
Some patients are prescribed a drug called Exenatide, a kind of prolonged-release GLP-1 analogue. GLP-1 is synthesized by intestinal cells and activates insulin production in the pancreas. Similar substances can be found in animals, including the platypus. However, there is a problem: the hormonal structure of animals differs significantly from that of humans. As Dr. Grutzner explained, the genotype of waterfowl does not have the genes responsible for metabolic and digestive processes.
"Not long ago, we discovered that the structural variant of the platypus GPP is very different from the human one. But one of the features of this substance is its increased resistance to destruction processes. In other words, the platypus GPP is capable of being inside the intestines and in a toxic environment for a long time, and continue to perform its function," the researcher explains.
Scientists suggest that this property of the substance can be successfully used if it is introduced into the composition of an antidiabetic drug.
Researchers have already been allocated funds for further development. The source of funding was the Central Adelaide Local Health Network.
Experts do not deny that they still have many experiments and studies to conduct, but great hopes are already pinned on the discovered source of GLP-1. Presumably, very soon pharmacists will provide clinicians with a new drug with a prolonged and effective effect, which will also be affordable.
Details of the study are described on the university's website www.adelaide.edu.au
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