Can the Scorpion ’s Venom Used as a Medicine to Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own dense mechanism. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints, causing pain, sensitiveness, inflammation and immobility. A team of scientists in the past have identified a potassium channel on cells called fibroblast — like synoviocytes (FLS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, responsible for the development of the disease. The researchers are keen in finding a way to block the channel to stop the cells damaging the joints. A particular element called iberiotoxin, which is capable of blocking the FLS potassium channel and reduce the severity in the rheumatoid arthritis affected rats. Above all, there were no side effects like tremors and incontinence and the joints of the animals turned free and flexible after using iberiotoxin.  Scorpion’s venom component iberiotoxin may play a key role in developing a suitable drug to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis in future.
Source: Sciences Blog - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Orthopedics & Rheumatology Rheumatology: Current Research journal of rheumatology open access rheumatology journals rheumatology impact factor list rheumatology research journals rheumatology research papers Source Type: blogs