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