Why to Study Peptides from Venomous and Poisonous Animals?

Abstract

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. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].