October 20, 2003 – The rapid decline in biodiversity is seriously hampering the development of new drugs, warn three scientists in an open letter published by the science magazine Science1.
They cite among other things the example of the cone, a poisonous mollusk from tropical seas whose family includes more than 500 species. Several drugs have already been obtained from the hundreds of substances, called conotoxins, of which its venom is made. The most promising seems to be Prialt, an analgesic whose clinical trials are drawing to a close and which is said to be up to 1000 times more potent than morphine.
Other substances currently under study could possibly be used in the fight against epilepsy, cancer, spinal injuries, depression, high blood pressure or incontinence. Some may even protect cells from the damage that frequently results from head trauma.
However, several threats hover over the survival of the cones. Coastal development, pollution and climate change, along with their shells being highly prized by collectors around the world, are just a few of them. If nothing is done, the researchers warn, the cones may disappear and take with them all the drugs they could still offer humanity.
The loss of biodiversity obviously does not only affect the cones. In many places on the planet, many medicinal plants used in herbal medicine and pharmacology are also threatened and could also be lost.
On this subject, a symposium on biodiversity is being held from October 25 to 28, 2003 in Ottawa. PasseportSanté.net will provide you with detailed coverage.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
From eurekalert.org; October 17, 2003.
1. Chivian E, Roberts CM, Bernstein AS. The threat to cone snails. Science 2003 Oct 17; 302 (5644): 391.