It is difficult to describe the uniqueness of red chili pepper (Calliophis bivirgata). The widespread snake in Indonesia is beautiful, deadly, but also at the same time inspires the healing of pain.
It can trigger spastic seizures and paralysis. If bitten, humans will experience a terrible death.
However, if the inner compound of the snake is studied, undoubtedly a more powerful cure of pain from morphine will be obtained.
Bryan Fry, a researcher from the University of Queensland, said the snakes with blue stripes and red heads and tails were "killers of killers".
"This snake has a specialization to kill other venomous snakes, including king cobra," he said as quoted Science Alert, Monday (31/10/2016).
"The snake also has the world's largest producer glands, measuring up to a quarter of its body length," Fry added.
Recently, Fry examined the content of red snake peppers. He found a compound capable of affecting nerve work, called calliotoxin.
Calliotoxin this is what makes red peppers very deadly. The poison disrupts the sodium channel, a pathway that causes certain nerves to become active and inactive.
Calliotoxin will make the sodium canal in the neural tissues of its prey to survive so that cramps, convulsions, and paralysis.
For Fry and his partner, Jennifer Deuis, the way calliotoxin works is interesting. Because, sodium canal also affect the emergence of pain experienced by humans.
"Inhibiting the sodium channel is a promising way to cure pain," Deuis told the Washington Post yesterday.
Calliotoxin is also interesting because it comes from a vertebrate animal. Thus, the compound works on systems that are more similar to humans.
Do not imagine in the future the scientist will "blush" the can of red python.
That's not what's in the shadow of Fry and colleagues. Fry said, to be developed is a synthetic compound of calliotoxin.
The findings, published in the journal Toxin this week, suggest that no matter how deadly a creature is, there are benefits.
"If we destroy the biodiversity, it will be difficult to get the economic benefits." said Fry. 