The application of toxins and venoms to cardiovascular drug discovery

Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2009 Apr;9(2):173-6. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2008.11.007. Epub 2008 Dec 26.

Abstract

Animal venoms contain a variety of highly selective and potent toxins, which have evolved over thousands/millions of years, which target vital physiological processes. As such, they have proven to be an excellent source of lead compounds for the development of therapeutic agents. In particular, a number of these venom components (e.g. bradykinin-potentiating peptides, sarafotoxins, natriuretic peptides) have profound effects on the cardiovascular system. This review article examines recent progress in the search for lead compounds or novel scaffolds for cardiovascular drug development from animal venoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Incretins / isolation & purification
  • Incretins / pharmacology
  • Incretins / therapeutic use
  • Natriuretic Peptides / isolation & purification
  • Natriuretic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Oligopeptides / isolation & purification
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Toxins, Biological / therapeutic use*
  • Viper Venoms / isolation & purification
  • Viper Venoms / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Incretins
  • Natriuretic Peptides
  • Oligopeptides
  • Toxins, Biological
  • Viper Venoms
  • bradykinin potentiating factors
  • sarafotoxins s6