Toxinology is the study of natural toxins produced by living things and how such toxins end up killing its victims. Research in the area typically involves isolating specific active molecules in the venom, discovering the mechanisms by which it binds to tissues and how such mechanisms cause death. For example toxins in cobra venom are neurotoxins which bind to the phrenic nerve of the diaphragm, which is involved in the respiratory process. As a result, this binding inhibits the interaction of neurotransmitter molecules such as acetylcholine, to bind with its receptor on the diaphragm muscle. This causes asphyxia, or respiratory paralysis, as the lungs are not able to expand and contract to take in oxygen into the bloodstream.

Professor Iekhsan Othman is a neurotoxicologist with great experience with Malaysian toxins, specializing in the isolation and characterization of the mechanisms of toxins from Malaysian snakes such as the Naja naja kaouthia(Indian cobra), Ophiohagus hannah (King cobra), Bungarus candidus (Malaysian kraits) and Bungarus fasciatus (Indian kraits). At the same time Professor Iekhsan is the only scientist in Malaysia who is carrying out research on marine toxinology especially on jellyfish toxins, pufferfish toxins and saxitoxins from dinoflagellate.

Prof. Dr. Iekhsan

“My involvement in Science was just by default from being exposed to the Science stream after completing my LCE (which is currently known as PMR). It has just developed into something for me to apply and pursue at a higher level,” reminisces Prof. Iekhsan, “After completing my A-level, I was able to actively commit to the sciences by taking up a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol."

Upon completion of his Bachelor degree, a hunger for knowledge and wish to know more at a higher level made him involve himself in neurotoxicology research at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London University. He was involved in looking at the application of neurotoxins as probes for the study of neurotransmitters especially at the presynaptic terminals. Then upon his return to Malaysia, he continued his research in toxin research on local snakes and animals, an area of research which did not have many scientists involved extensively.

In 1988, during his first sabbatical, he was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholar programme to carry out research in the United States. During this period of nine months, Prof. Iekhsan was the Visiting Scientist to the Dermatology Laboratory in the University of Maryland, School of Medicine under the supervision of a dermatologist, Professor Joseph Burnett who had been working with jellyfish toxins. The interest in working with jellyfish started when a referral addressed to the University Hospital regarding jellyfish stinging on a tourist from the United States, who had been holidaying in Batu Feringghi, was made requesting the species and the properties of the jellyfish responsible for the stinging. There were skin lesions from the necrosis caused by the sting, and had occurred in different episodes with symptoms re-appearing shortly after each treatment. This was the beginning of his involvement in marine toxicology and jellyfish research. At that time, no Malaysian scientist had been involved in the study on marine toxicology in general, and Malaysian jellyfish in particular, though there many studies that had been done by researchers overseas. Working hand-in-hand with Prof. J. Burnett, from Maryland, and Dr. Paul Cornelius from the Natural History Museum of London, a jellyfish taxonomy expert, they found 11 species that are commonly found in the waters around Malaysia, that are very harmful and dangerous with five species found to be very deadly to humans.

Upon purification and isolation of the plant extract to identify the specific compound that neutralizes toxins, he found that the compound that could neutralizes the effects of these toxins is vanillin, a molecule known for its fragrance and flavour which is used in confectionery and ice-creams.

“The discovery was quite a surprise. Not only is vanillin found to be very effective in neutralizing the pain caused by the toxins, but it also helps prevent the release of these toxins from their capsules as well.”

“So maybe in the future, when we are stung by jellyfish, we can use vanilla ice-cream to help ease the pain!” he jokes.

Speaking on the potential of toxins for use in the medical field, he concedes that though there is still much to be done, there is a great potential for toxins to be used for therapeutics. Currently, conus toxin from conus seasnails disrupt the calcium cation channel and has already been used by scientist in therapeutics on an experimental basis. Other potentially beneficial toxins include pit viper venom, which disrupt coagulation and has great medical potential.

“What is the definition of toxicity anyway? It is the dosage of a certain component that defines the toxicity and its dramatic effect on cell function of the tissue. From panadol to snake venom, with appropriate doses, it may actually provide greater benefits to mankind.”

Despite the great breakthroughs Prof. Iekhsan has forged, he is not one to rest upon his laurels. He plans to continue on his toxin research with the in-depth characterization of each specimen, as well as characterizing antidotes of such toxins using proteomic techniques. Furthermore, he is slated to head the Proteomics Center of Monash University Malaysia as well as holding his current posts as Professor in Biochemistry.