Scientists are one step closer in their quest to turn spider venom into a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The Brazilian wandering spider is considered one of the most dangerous arachnids to humans due to the potency of its venom.
A bite causes extreme pain and inflammation, loss of muscle control and breathing problems, putting you at risk of paralysis and eventually suffocation without treatment.
But one unusual aspect of the venom has fueled scientific curiosity for decades.
Men who are bitten may experience unwanted erections that last for hours.
The Brazilian wandering spider is considered one of the most dangerous arachnids to humans due to its powerful venom, which has a bizarre side effect of giving men long-lasting erections.
Now scientists are preparing to launch the latest clinical trials to test whether the venom could really be a new treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Participants are not administered the poison directly, but instead scientists believe one component is responsible for the bizarre side effect.
This part of the venom, called BZ371A, stimulates blood flow throughout the body.
In nature, this makes the spider bite more deadly because the venom spreads through the body more quickly.
But on its own, it could give hope to millions of men suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Researchers at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil have already completed a phase one safety trial of BZ371A for men and women.
This was to ensure that the compound, now isolated from the other dangerous parts of the spider venom, did not cause any ill effects.
A separate pilot test conducted again in both men and women found that topical application of BZ371A resulted in an increase in blood flow to the applied area, and for men, this facilitated an erection.
Now researchers are planning a new trial to test BZ371A in men who have undergone surgical removal of the prostate due to cancer.
These patients can often experience erectile dysfunction as a result of their surgery and resulting damage to the tissues in that part of the body.
It is hoped that BZ371A will eventually result in a new drug for erectile dysfunction.
Although such medications already exist, the best known of which is Viagra, not all men can use them.
It is estimated that approximately one in three men cannot use current erectile dysfunction medications due to health problems that would make their use dangerous.
Scientists working on BZ371A hope their compound will help these men in particular, although more testing needs to be done.
Professor Maria Elena de Lima, an expert in biochemistry at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, said the research showed value-containing species such as the Brazilian wandering spider.
“This helps demonstrate why our wildlife needs to be conserved: it is an inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, and we know less than 1 percent of this potential,” she said.
The researchers also hope to one day investigate whether BZ371A could also one day be used to help women suffering from sexual dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition in men, especially those over 40 years of age.
It has several causes. The most common are stress, fatigue, drinking too much alcohol or a side effect of some medications.
Although it’s normally nothing serious, men are encouraged to talk to their doctor but they repeatedly struggle with getting or keeping an erection to rule out something more sinister, such as high blood pressure or a hormone problem.
