Scientists have discovered a molecule in a python that could form the basis of a drug to treat obesity

Scientists have discovered a molecule in the blood of Burmese pythons that may affect appetite and promote weight loss. 

This was reported by The Guardian.

The molecule in question is a metabolite called pTOS, whose levels spike sharply after eating. In experiments on obese mice, this molecule significantly reduced food intake and allowed the animals to lose about 9% of their body weight in 28 days.

The molecule was discovered while studying changes in pythons’ bodies after feeding. During this period, the snakes undergo drastic physiological transformations: their hearts can grow by a quarter, and their metabolism can speed up thousands of times. Afterward, pythons are able to go without food for up to a year and a half.

As part of a study published in the journal Nature Metabolism, scientists analyzed the blood of young pythons before and after feeding. They identified over 200 molecules whose concentrations increased after eating, but it was pTOS that increased by more than 1,000 times. This metabolite is produced by gut bacteria and is also present in small amounts in the human body.

During testing, pTOS did not affect energy expenditure or organ size, but it did alter eating behavior. Unlike GLP-1-based drugs, it likely acts directly on the hypothalamus—the center for appetite regulation—which helps avoid side effects such as nausea or pain.

Researchers note that the discovery could form the basis for new obesity treatments, though further clinical studies are needed.