5. The Gila Monster - The Anti-Diabetic Soldier
The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) is not a monster like its name may suggest but a lizard with a fierce reputation found throughout the south western US and into Mexico. According to a Native American legend, Gila monsters can spit venom and kill a man with just their breath. But while theyre not the most cuddly lizards around, they cant really spit venom nor does their breath smell terrible. However, with their venomous bite, they can hold on like their lives depend upon it. Though their venom isnt fatal, it certainly isnt comfortable, and perhaps their tenacity is partially to blame for their bad rep. More than a dozen toxic peptides have been isolated from the Gila monsters venomous saliva. Among these, there is a molecule that can mimic our bodies natural hormones that stimulate insulin release when blood sugar rises. The lizard protein is about 50% identical to a hormone released from the human digestive tract that helps to regulate insulin and glucagon but remains effective much longer that the human counterpart. In 2005, the drug was approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes sustaining glucose levels and progressive weight loss and is also being investigated for the treatment of obesity because it helps suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness. The saliva of the Gila monster also contains a chemical that affect and heighten memory. Several companies have been researching the abilities of this chemical to help memory loss due to various diseases such as Alzheimers, schizophrenia, and ADHD. Gilatide is likely to be researched further to provide help to Alzheimers patients.