Scientists: Lizard blood can cure Covid

A research team at a university in Thailand is investigating to see if lizard blood can be used to fight cancer and coronavirus.

Protected species have strong immune systems, living in polluted waters and consuming rotten meat, and scientists say they want to unlock their secrets.

Associate Professor Jitkamol Thanasak, a lecturer in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Mahidol University, is leading the team studying the characteristics of proteins that form part of the lizard's immune defenses.

They were given permission by the government to collect blood samples from lizards because of their protected species status. The researchers found that proteins inhibit the growth of cancer cells and some bacteria.

They think this effect could extend to suppressing viruses, including Covidine even though this is not currently known.

The next step is to prove that blood components inhibit certain types of cancer cells and bacteria, but that they do not affect healthy cells in the human body.

They expect to complete their initial study on lizard blood by the end of 2021 and then test whether it can also fight the flu, bird flu and Covid-19.