The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
Natural toxins, long feared as deadly poison, are increasingly being harnessed as powerful medicine. This paper explores the growing role of animal and plant toxins in modern medicine, tracing their use from ancient remedies to cutting-edge biomedical science. Through a study of their biochemical mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and clinical case histories, this paper draws attention to the remarkable specificity and potency of toxin-derived compounds for disease treatment in diabetes, chronic pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. This paper also investigates the scientific and practical barriers to the universal clinical application of toxins, such as issues of toxicity, cost, stability, and ethical concerns. This paper also considers technological advances such as synthetic biology, nanoparticle delivery systems, and artificial intelligence, which are changing the nature of venom-based medicine development and delivery. Ultimately, this study argues that with scientific management and equal access, the most lethal natural drugs can also be some of its most life-saving tools. The focus of this study will cover the biological foundations, mechanisms of action, present therapeutic applications, and future prospects for harnessing these medicines in medicine. This paper argues that although challenges remain, the therapeutic precision and efficacy of venom-derived compounds make their study indispensable.
Recommended Citation
Esther Gross. (2025). Can Deadly Toxins Become Tools for Medicine?. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 19(1), 13-20. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol19/iss1/3
