Why to Study Peptides from Venomous and Poisonous Animals?

Venom and poison peptides are powerful biological weapons and have proven immense pharmacological potential because of their high binding affinity to a wide range of molecular targets. Nonetheless, many of these peptides cannot directly be used as medicines due to their toxicity but their derivatives are very valuable to explore and can be a great treasure trove for the development of novel drugs. This review presents a detailed overview of venom peptides present in reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, gastropods, clitellatas, fish, insects, and mammals. We address the most recent findings that underline their therapeutic potential against a wide variety of diseases from cancer to vascular, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

This review provides a detailed overview of venom peptides present in various animal groups and highlights their therapeutic potential against a wide variety of diseases. Venom and poison peptides have proven to be powerful biological weapons with immense pharmacological potential.