In Brazil, a poisonous spider as an ally against erectile dysfunction

It measures about fifteen centimeters, has eight hairy legs and its venom is potentially lethal. At first glance, the spider Banana does not seem to be man’s best friend, but its pest can be a powerful ally for some of them.

The toxin of this species, one of the most poisonous in the world, usually causes a symptom in men who are stung: priapism, a painful and prolonged erection.

This unwanted effect led Brazilian scientists from the city of Belo Horizonte (southeast) to be inspired by this poison to develop a gel that will work against erectile dysfunction.

“Venom is only used to understand the properties of the molecules that cause priapism. “In the laboratory, we have created a much simpler and less toxic synthetic molecule.”explains researcher María Elena de Lima, from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).

The banana spider, whose scientific name is “phoneutria nigriventer”, He lives in South America and got his nickname because he used to be found near banana plantations.

But in Minas Gerais, the state of which Belo Horizonte is the capital, it is located in rural and urban areas.

The cough drops are extracted by stimulating the chelicerae of the specimens, the hooks with which this insect, for many terrifying, bites its victims.

Fight against cancer

The studies that led to the discovery began 30 years ago, when a research group on the venom of this animal was created, says Marcia Helena Borges, researcher at the Ezequiel Dias Foundation (Funed).

Funed, based in Belo Horizonte, supplied samples to a UFMG laboratory, which began its own investigations about two decades ago.

The patent for the synthetic molecule has been acquired by the Brazilian pharmaceutical company Biozeus, which hopes to soon market the gel.

The ointment should be rubbed on the penis when an erection is desired and can take effect within a few minutes, according to scientists.

María Elena de Lima assures that what has been discovered can go beyond a solution for erectile dysfunction and could be useful in the fight against prostate cancer.

“Many men refuse to undergo a radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland) in case of cancer, because it causes erectile dysfunction”it states.

These problems are due to the erectile nerves being damaged by the removal of the prostate.

But the molecule inspired by the venom of the banana spider activates the production of nitric oxide, essential for erection.

This can be produced by the nerves, but also by other cells on which the gel acts, explains De Lima.

Protect biodiversity

The second of the three phases of testing necessary for the health authorities to approve the ointment and it can be marketed will begin shortly.

It will compare the effects in patients who have had their prostate removed and those who have not.

“This is research based on our biodiversity, which must be promoted”summarizes the UFMG expert.

“It is necessary for people to understand that we should not kill the animals“Not even the poisonous ones, because they are like a library of still unknown molecules.”concludes De Lima.

Source: AFP