Scientists are one step closer to turning spider venom into a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The Brazilian wandering spider is considered one of the most dangerous arachnids to humans due to its venom.
Bites can cause extreme pain and inflammation, leading to loss of muscle control and breathing problems, and if untreated, there is a risk of paralysis and eventually suffocation.
But unusual aspects of this venom have sparked scientific curiosity for decades.
Men who are bitten may experience an unwanted erection that lasts several hours.
The Brazilian wandering spider is considered one of the most dangerous arachnids to humans, as its powerful venom has the strange side effect of prolonging erections in men.
Scientists are now preparing to begin the latest clinical trial to test whether the poison really could be a new treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Participants were not given the poison directly, but rather a single ingredient that scientists believe is responsible for the strange side effects.
This portion of the venom, called BZ371A, increases blood flow throughout the body.
In nature, this makes spider bites more dangerous because the venom spreads more quickly into the body.
But alone, it could offer hope to the millions of men suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Researchers at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil have already completed phase 1 safety testing of BZ371A in men and women.
This was to ensure that this compound, which was separated from other dangerous parts of the spider’s venom, did not have any negative effects.
Another pilot test, again conducted on both men and women, found that topical application of BZ371A increased blood flow to the area of application, and in men, this facilitated erections.
Researchers are now planning a new trial to test BZ371A in men who have had their prostates removed for cancer.
These patients can commonly suffer from erectile dysfunction problems as a result of the surgery’s damage to the tissues in that area of the body.
Ultimately, BZ371A is expected to become a new treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Such drugs already exist, the most famous being Viagra, but not all men can take it.
It is estimated that approximately one in three men cannot take existing erectile dysfunction medications because of a health condition that makes them unsafe.
Scientists working on BZ371A hope that the compound will specifically help these men, but more trials need to be conducted.
Professor María Elena de Lima, a biochemistry expert at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, said the study showed that species like the Brazilian wandering spider are worth preserving.
“This helps show why our fauna must be protected. Fauna is an inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, and we don’t know even 1 percent of this potential. “No,” she said.
The researchers also hope to investigate whether BZ371A could one day be used to help women suffering from sexual dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition among men, especially men over the age of 40.
There are many causes, but the most common are stress, fatigue, drinking too much alcohol, or side effects of some medications.
Usually it’s not a serious thing for men to consult their GP, but many times they have trouble getting or keeping an erection, to rule out sinister illnesses such as high blood pressure or hormonal problems. .