Captopril was developed from venom research on the Brazilian jararaca snake.
The jararaca, Bothrops jararaca, produces venom containing peptides that affect blood pressure regulation. Research into these compounds helped scientists understand how to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE, which plays a major role in narrowing blood vessels and regulating blood pressure.
Captopril became the first orally active ACE inhibitor and was approved in the early 1980s for conditions including hypertension and heart failure. It was not simply venom placed into a medicine; researchers used venom-derived biological clues to design a safer, controlled drug.
The example is often cited as a landmark in toxinology and drug discovery. It also illustrates why snake venom research matters beyond treating bites: venom molecules can reveal precise biological mechanisms that medicine can adapt for other purposes.