Latest news with #NationalResearchCentreonCamel
India.com
9 hours ago
- Health
- India.com
World's Costliest Tear? One Drop from This Animal Can Neutralize 26 Snake Venoms, Help You Earn Lakhs
photoDetails english 2926996 Tears are more than just a response to emotion—they reflect complex feelings and serve vital biological roles. Whether from joy, grief, or irritation, tears protect our eyes, relieve stress, and connect us to others. From ancient beliefs to modern science, these small drops carry deep emotional and physiological significance. Ever wondered about the world's most valuable tear? Updated:Jul 05, 2025, 12:55 PM IST Ship of the desert 1 / 7 In Rajasthan's arid desert region, camels—long revered as the "ships of the desert"—have been essential for helping farmers travel across harsh terrains. Now, scientists at the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) in Bikaner have made a groundbreaking discovery: antibodies from camel tears and their immune system may help neutralise snake venom. This promising research could lead to more effective treatments for snakebite victims and improve the wellbeing of farmers who depend on camels. Echis carinatus sochureki 2 / 7 According to media reports, scientists at the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) conducted a series of experiments where they immunised dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using venom from the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki), a highly venomous snake species. Blood serum 3 / 7 The researchers found that antibodies present in the camels' blood serum and tears effectively neutralised the venom's impact. Notably, they significantly reduced the venom's harmful effects, particularly those causing internal bleeding (hemorrhage) and blood clotting disorders (coagulopathy). Allergic reaction 4 / 7 Antibodies derived from camels showed stronger effects and caused fewer allergic reactions compared to traditional antivenoms made from horse immunoglobulin (IgG). Moreover, camel-based antivenoms are more efficient and less costly to produce, making them a promising alternative to the complex and expensive horse-derived options. Snakebite crisis 5 / 7 India faces a severe snakebite crisis, recording around 58,000 deaths and 1.4 lakh disabilities annually—the highest in the world. The NRCC's discovery of camel-derived antibodies offers hope for developing safer, more affordable, and easily producible treatments, especially benefiting rural populations where snakebites are frequent and access to timely medical care is limited. NRCC 6 / 7 This initiative marks a significant economic shift for camel-rearing communities in regions like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur. The NRCC has partnered with local farmers, offering generous compensation in return for safe and efficient collection of camel tears and blood samples, encouraging greater participation and benefiting both science and livelihoods. Pharmaceutical firms 7 / 7 As per the report, pharmaceutical firms like the Serum Institute of India and other private drug manufacturers are developing business models centred around camel-derived antibodies. This innovation could help farmers earn an extra Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per camel monthly, offering them a sustainable and scientifically promising source of income.
India.com
12 hours ago
- Health
- India.com
This is world's most expensive tear; one drop can neutralize 26 snake venoms, it is worth Rs..., it is of...
This is world's most expensive tear; one drop can neutralize 26 snake venoms, it is worth Rs..., it is of... Tears may seem like merely small drops of water but are quite meaningful and important. For centuries, people have talked about tears. People have used phrases like 'crocodile tears' to show that some tears are fake or false. But tears are not always about sadness or pretending. Tears can show feelings, tell stories, and can even have amazing health impacts. Do you know which is the world's most expensive tear? One drop of tear can… What makes camel's tear so powerful against snake venom? In Rajasthan's dry desert land, camels have always been known as the 'ship of the desert' because they help farmers commute long miles through tough lands. Now, these wonderful animals are revealing something even more astounding. Scientists at the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) in Bikaner have discovered that the antibodies derived from the camel tears and its immune system could be used to combat snake venom. This is an exciting finding that may eventually lead to improved treatments for victims of snakebites and also yield improved quality of life for farmers who raise camels. Who conducted the study revealing the medicinal power of camel tears? As per a Moneycontrol report, researchers from the NRCC staged a series of experiments in which they immunized camels (Camelus dromedarius) with venom from the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki), which is an extremely venomous snake species. Their findings indicated that antibodies from the camels' blood serum and tears provided effective neutralization of the effects of the venom; most importantly, the venom's effects related to hemorrhage and coagulopathy were greatly abated. Camel-based antibodies also had fewer allergy issues, and effects were more potent than those derived from traditional antivenoms made from horse immunoglobulin (IgG), which are expensive for production and complex to collect. Why is this tear considered the most expensive in the world? India is experiencing a serious snakebite crisis, with nearly 58,000 deaths per year and another 140,000 people with disabilities—the highest-burden worldwide. The NRCC's camel-derived antibodies could lead to lower-cost, safer, and easier-to-produce treatments. This is ultimately great for patients in rural areas, where snakebites are common and timely medical care is more difficult to obtain. This work shows economic transformation for camel-rearing groups in areas such as Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur. The NRCC has worked to convince local farmers to give them access to their camels for quick and safe collection of tears and blood samples; in exchange, farmers are compensated lavishly. According to the report, Pharmaceutical companies such as the Serum Institute of India and other private drug companies are building business models around the camel-derived antibodies, with estimates that farmers can cash additional income of Rs 5,000 to 10,000 per camel each month; this can give the farmers a new, sustainable, and scientifically lucrative source of cash.
