Snake venoms contain multiple peptide classes — including natriuretic peptides, bradykinin-potentiating peptides, and disintegrins — that target the cardiovascular system and have already inspired drugs like captopril.
7 cardiovascular peptide classesSnake venoms contain at least 7 distinct molecular classes targeting the heart and blood vessels, including the peptide that inspired ACE inhibitors
What the researchers found
Snake venoms contain multiple cardiovascular-active peptide classes: PLA2, natriuretic peptides, bradykinin-potentiating peptides, CRISPs, disintegrins, fibrinolytic enzymes, and three-finger toxins, with mechanisms including vasorelaxation, anti-platelet activity, and cardioprotection.
Why it matters
Snake venom already gave us one of medicine's most important drug classes (ACE inhibitors). The remaining venom peptides represent a rich, largely untapped pipeline for new cardiovascular therapeutics.
The numbers in context
7 molecule classes; effects: vasorelaxation, platelet inhibition, cardioprotection; captopril derived from BPPs
How the study worked
Narrative review of snake venom components targeting the cardiovascular system, their molecular targets, and mechanisms of action.
Who was studied
Review of snake venom cardiovascular molecules
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review with no new data. Most venom peptides discussed are in preclinical stages. Translation from venom components to stable, safe drugs remains challenging.
How to read the evidence
Not applicable (narrative review). Covers a range of evidence from well-established (captopril) to early preclinical (novel venom peptides).
When this study was published
Published 2021. Venom-based cardiovascular drug discovery continues with modern proteomic and synthetic biology approaches.
The bigger picture
Venom-derived drugs represent a proven drug discovery pathway. With advanced proteomics and synthesis techniques, the remaining cardiovascular peptides in snake venom could yield the next generation of anti-hypertensive, anti-thrombotic, and cardioprotective medications.
Questions still open
- Which snake venom peptides are closest to clinical development for cardiovascular indications?
- Could snake venom natriuretic peptides improve on existing natriuretic peptide drugs like nesiritide?
- Can venom-derived disintegrins be developed into safer anti-clotting drugs than current options?
Common questions
Are there really heart drugs made from snake venom?
What other heart drugs could come from snake venom?
Read the original research
Snake Venom Components: Tools and Cures to Target Cardiovascular Diseases.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(8)
Citation
Frangieh, Jacinthe; Rima, Mohamad; Fajloun, Ziad; Henrion, Daniel; Sabatier, Jean-Marc; Legros, Christian; Mattei, César. (2021). Snake Venom Components: Tools and Cures to Target Cardiovascular Diseases.. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26082223