Alpha-cobratoxin as a possible therapy for multiple sclerosis: a review of the literature leading to its development for this application.

[adrenomyeloneuropathy]

The use of snake venom in the treatment of multiple sclerosis has been , at best , controversial . The anecdotal reports for snake venom 's beneficial effects in this condition may be supportable now by recent scientific evidence . Cobratoxin , a neurotoxin obtained from the venom of the Thailand cobra , has demonstrated several pharmacological activities that strongly support its use in this application . By employing a chemical detoxification step , the neurotoxin can be rendered safe for administration to humans with minimal side effects . This modified neurotoxin has demonstrated neuromodulatory , antiviral , and analgesic activity , elements associated with the multiple sclerosis condition . Modified cobratoxin has demonstrated potent immunosuppressive activity in acute and chronic animal models of the disease . The drug is under investigation for use in adrenomyeloneuropathy and clinical trials in Multiple sclerosis are planned .