"Milking" a snake: Perm scientists discuss the engineering inspiration and benefits of venomous reptiles.

Where does snake venom come from?

Snake venom is a modified saliva produced by specialized glands located behind the reptile's eyes. These glands are anatomically connected to the fangs, through which the venom is injected into the victim's body.

— Venom is a complex mixture of several toxins and biologically active substances, which do not necessarily have a protein nature. It contains free amino acids, sugars, lipids, metal ions, hydrolytic enzymes, low- and high-molecular weight proteins, and a small number of other organic and inorganic molecules (pigments, mineral components, and trace elements) nucleotides. All these biologically active substances can affect the nervous, circulatory, and muscular systems of the organism. To be precise, the composition of the modified saliva varies depending on the species of the snake, its age, diet, geographical location, and other factors, — explains Ekaterina Bankovskaya, associate professor at the Department of Chemical Technologies at Perm Polytech, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The complete characterization of snake venom proteins is quite complex, even with the availability of modern physicochemical analysis methods, due to the presence of multiple isomeric forms of toxins.

Types of venoms classified by their effects on the body

In Russia, there are 13 species of snakes known to be dangerous and venomous to humans. The arthropods belonging to these families differ in their biology, structure of the venom apparatus, chemical composition of the venom, and mechanisms of its toxic effects. The country is home to vipers (common, steppe, Caucasian, etc.), Central Asian cobras, rattlesnakes (common, eastern), and very rarely, the horned viper.

There are neurotoxic venoms that act on the nervous system. They disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses by blocking receptors on muscle cells or preventing the release of neurotransmitters—biologically active chemicals necessary for transmitting the electrochemical impulse from a nerve cell. The effects of such venoms manifest as paralysis, including of the respiratory muscles, leading to the cessation of vital organs. The victim's eyelids droop, swallowing becomes difficult, and speech becomes indistinct.

— Vipers, rattlesnakes, and some pit vipers possess hemotoxic venom. It contains enzymes that lead to the destruction of blood cells (hemolysis), disruption of blood clotting (coagulopathy), and damage to the vascular wall. Their action causes bleeding, thrombosis, edema, tissue necrosis, decreased blood pressure, and kidney dysfunction. Cytotoxic venoms are also characteristic of snakes that "spit." The substances in it damage the cells of the organism at the site of the bite. The effects include severe pain, swelling, redness, blistering, tissue necrosis, and scarring, — explains Ekaterina Bankovskaya.

Myotoxic venoms affect muscle tissues; their toxins release intracellular enzymes into the blood, resulting in muscle pain, weakness, and acute renal failure. Some sea snakes and rattlesnakes possess venom with such properties.

How is an antidote prepared for a snake bite?

Since snakes have different compositions of venom, polyvalent serums effective against several species of snakes are produced in some regions, but they are generally less specific than monovalent ones, which target a single species. The production of antitoxins is a lengthy and costly process.

— After collecting snake venom through "milking," it is diluted and administered in small, gradually increasing doses to animals, most often horses, and less frequently to sheep or goats. This is done to stimulate their immune system to produce antibodies specific to the components of the toxic substance. During this period, which lasts up to a year, blood is regularly drawn from the animal, and plasma containing antibodies is separated. Then, it is purified and concentrated, extracting proteins that are not antibodies, and preservatives are added for stability and storage of the preparation, — adds Ekaterina Bankovskaya.

Who and how "milks" snakes?

In Russia, there is only one center for snake venom extraction, located in Novosibirsk. The process of extracting this valuable substance is carried out by specialists known as herpetologists, toxicologists, or snake catchers. They are trained in the safe handling of snakes.

— The process of "milking" a snake is not straightforward; it requires caution and experience. The snake is carefully restrained, usually by the head, using a special tool or manually, so that the animal cannot bite the person. To extract the venom, the scaled creature is brought close to a sterile container (most often a Petri dish covered with a thin film) and gently pressed on the venom glands. Sometimes, to stimulate the snake, it is made to bite through a thin membrane covering the edge of the dish. The venom collected is gathered from the bottom of the container and then filtered to remove saliva and blood impurities, — explains Ekaterina Bankovskaya, associate professor at the Department of Chemical Technologies at Perm Polytech, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Snake venom is added to medicines

Snake venom is a complex array of biologically active compounds that serve as valuable raw materials for pharmaceutical science and industry. In evidence-based medicine, snake venom is used to create antidotes—antivenoms that save lives in snake bites. Individual components of the venom, including proteins that affect blood clotting, are used in the development of medications for thinning the blood and treating thrombosis, thus reducing the risk of clot formation in blood vessels. Other compounds that affect the nervous system have found applications in treating chronic pain and neurodegenerative diseases.

— Initially, the venom is carefully processed, filtering out blood and saliva. Then, to enhance stability and shelf life, it undergoes drying, most often lyophilization—a process of dehydrating the venom by freezing and subsequently removing the ice under vacuum. In simpler terms, the venom is first frozen and then water is extracted from it, turning it into a dry powder. The finished dry venom is stored in airtight containers. It is then separated into individual fractions possessing the desired pharmacological properties for use in drug formulation, — explains the expert from Perm Polytech.

Snake venom against wrinkles

Most cosmetic products containing "snake venom" are based on the synthetic tripeptide Syn-Ake, which mimics a neurotoxic component from the venom.

— It is important to emphasize that natural snake venom is not used in cosmetology; only its synthetic analog is. Clinical trials conducted on real people have shown that the synthetic tripeptide, when applied locally, can reduce the depth and severity of facial wrinkles, including "crow's feet," frown lines, and forehead lines. In these studies, skin parameters are usually evaluated using visualization methods (e.g., three-dimensional scanning), — notes Ekaterina Bankovskaya, associate professor at the Department of Chemical Technologies at Perm Polytech, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Creams with imitation snake fat

Another well-known cosmetic ingredient, "snake fat," is mostly not real fat extracted from animals, but rather an imitation created from plant oils, mineral components, and other additives.

— Among its components are plant extracts that possess anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce redness and irritation. Phospholipids, vitamins A, E, and D, considered powerful antioxidants, are also added; they protect cells from damage and promote their regeneration. Squalene, a natural hydrocarbon, is a component of skin sebum. This ingredient moisturizes, softens, and protects the skin. Fatty acids and lipids form a protective film on the human body, preventing transepidermal moisture loss. This leads to increased skin hydration, elasticity, and smoothness, — explains Ekaterina Bankovskaya.

Real snake fat is expensive and exclusive

Snake fat is considered one of the most expensive and exclusive products, as it is rich in fatty acids that are not synthesized in the human body. It is renowned for its analgesic, emollient, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. Snake fat is completely hypoallergenic and is successfully used in cosmetology to slow down aging and restore the protective properties of the skin.

— Snake fat integrates into the lipid layer of the skin, replenishing the depleted protective layer. As a result, the skin becomes less vulnerable, is visually smoothed and rejuvenated, and acquires a healthy appearance. In certain diseases, snake fat is used as a component of therapeutic nutrition, as it can stimulate various metabolic processes occurring in the human body, — clarifies the expert from Perm Polytech.

Snakes inspire engineers

In biomechanics and robotics, the agility of snakes is used as a model for creating robots that mimic the movement of reptiles.

— Such robots, by gripping the surface, pull themselves forward. Their design consists of links connected by drives—either elastomeric or mechanical servos. Movement is provided by active (driving) or passive wheels, as well as friction forces, — explains Andrey Zatonsky, head of the Department of "Automation of Technological Processes" at the Berezniki branch of Perm Polytech, Doctor of Technical Sciences.</