Those suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and asthma, could be given new treatment options in the future that are based on a peptide found in the venomous toadfish (Thalassophryne nattereri).

News Medical Life Sciences reported on research conducted by scientists in Brazil, who have confirmed that the peptide in question – TnP – has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic potential. What this means in practice is that more research will be conducted to see how TnP could be used in drug development.

Using zebrafish, where are commonly used as a model for in vivo trials in drug development, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the peptide is safe.

The news provider also noted that studies conducted on mice between 2013 and 2015 have demonstrated that TnP can be used to treat MS, in that it was observed to delay the onset of severe symptoms as well as improve the clinical signs of the disease.

MS targets the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness, pain, vision loss and reduced motor control.

One of the challenges of treating MS is that we still don’t know what causes it. Research published earlier this year by the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research highlighted which type of nerve cells people with MS lose.

This is important, because knowing which of the body’s nerves are most affected by MS will allow researchers to develop treatments targeted to protect them.

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