A new study has found that a particular type of snake venom has potential for encouraging tissue regeneration in wounds.

Bothrops alternatus snake venom contains Alernagin-C (ALT-C), which is a disintegrin-like, cys-rich protein. The protein was used to treat wounds on 35 male wister rats and showed increased collagen production after a week.

Research will be ongoing, however, ALT-C has already been shown to increase collagen type I deposition and fibroblast density as well as accelerating the inflammatory process, proving its future potential for skin regeneration in humans.

To see the study, click here.

Image: Snake farm, Chiang Mai.  Credit: Steven W. Belcher on Flickr.