The world plants is full of natural medicinal wonders, but some species flowers can be deadly. Killers have used these centuries to poison people. However, botanists at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy Sciences have discovered that two particularly poisonous plants could have properties that may be used to make new medicines. The scientists conducted research two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion small amounts of aconitum could cause death respiratory paralysis or heart failure. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" the plants' chemical makeup could create valuable therapeutics.
The researchers recreated the toxic compounds the two plants. Study co-author Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they interact our bodies so many ways, and understanding how to create them can help provide totally new routes testing." They could be used as a painkiller, to treat malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants are the best chemists around, upgrading their arsenal natural compounds over millions years to help them survive." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many the medicines we use today either come directly plants or are inspired plant chemistry."
