There’s Nothing Common about the Common Brown Snake

The venom from an Eastern brown snake is the second most toxic of any land snake worldwide. The small snake produces 12 times the toxicity of the Indian cobra and accounts for approximately 60 percent of all snake bite deaths in Australia.

Yet, the deadly reptile that has caused 24 of the last 40 snake bite deaths in Australia has the potential to save thousands of lives worldwide.

Researching the effects of venom in deadly reptiles is fairly new, but scientists are eager to begin studying all types of snakes, hoping that many will hold the key to dangerous and lethal diseases. As the results of these studies are proving to hold key medical value, snake venom and antivenom research will become increasingly important.

In a recent study that began in January 2010, brown snake venom is showing potential as a diagnostic test for lupus anticoagulants, a disease that can cause miscarriages, cancer, serious infections, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

The venom of the Eastern brown snake exhausts the blood’s ability to clot, holding the potential for treating patients prone to strokes. It also causes blood vessel dilation, which could replace more dangerous treatments for patients at risk for heart attacks.

Peter Mirtschin, research fellow in the division of health studies at the University of South Australia, has recently begun studying Textillianum, a compound from brown snake venom. Mirtschin believes that the Textillianum is the compound that will break down blood clots quickly and effectively.

It seems to be a general rule of thumb that the more powerful the venom, the more potential the venom holds for the pharmaceutical world. “The smallest brown snake involved in a human death was 7 inches long,” said Brian Bush, manager of SNAKES Harmful & Harmless. “The victim was a young, pregnant woman.”

Brian believes that studies will only continue to prove even more beneficial components of brown snake venom and that one day, the antivenom will be synthesized and mass produced for the medical market.

In recent years, researchers have made leaps and strides in studying brown snake venom. Stephen Earl, manager of research and development for Venomics, is currently conducting a study on an intravenous investigational drug derived from brown snake venom. The drug is proving to be a healthy systemic clotting agent to use in patients with internal bleeding and hemorrhagic strokes.

Holding the potential to help stroke victims, heart attack victims, and diagnose lupus anticoagulants, brown snake venom is quickly rising to the top of many toxicity and pharmaceutical study reports. Heart attacks and strokes alone prove fatal to more than 12 million people each year. If studies on brown snake venom can produce qualifying results, doctors will be able to save millions of lives each year with drugs that have relatively few side effects.