The slimy mucus of a frog might actually help you tackle the flu. No, seriously.
Frog mucus is full of molecules known as peptides that can kill bacteria and viruses. According to a new study, the mucus of one particular frog can even destroy some of the most common strains of flu in humans.
Almost all animals — including humans — make antimicrobial peptides as part of their natural immune systems. Researchers are just beginning to investigate them as a potential source for new drugs. Scientists recently found that blood from Komodo dragons is highly resistant to bacteria, which could be used to help humans ward off so-called superbugs.
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And another group of researchers found that snake venom can help quickly stop bleeding.
The frog mucus research is the first evidence of the slime's flu-killing ability. But don't expect to find it on drugstore shelves anytime soon — it can take years of testing to clear new drugs for use in humans.
