Spider venom could lead to the next class of painkillers!

They can be creepy and horrifying but they are also in the process of becoming the next generation painkillers as scientists from Australia confirmed. I am talking about spiders, yes these arachnid creatures with 8 legs and ugliest look can save the life of millions in the future through their venom. It is not surprising that spiders use the very same venom to immobilize or kill their prey, but researchers from Australia have isolated seven peptides- blocks of proteins from venom of different species of spiders and have managed to block the molecular path responsible for sending the pain signal from the nerves to the brain.

According to a survey done by the Medical journal of pain, it says that every year about 15% adults suffers from severe chronic pain. Traditional painkillers such as morphine and widely used medications such as hydrocodone can be addictive and the abuse of drugs has ascended in recent years, prompting stricter regulation from the US Drug Enforcement departments. So the medical communities are eager to change the revolution of the painkillers and are always in search of new replacements.

The ‘spider-venom’ research was carried out inside the campus of university of Queensland, Australia where the researchers studied venom of more than 205 species of spiders found locally or from other regions (a total of 45,000 spider species are there all over the world). The researchers isolated various peptides from the venom and then exclusively studied each peptide to find the one that will affect the specific pain paths known as ion channels, which transmits pain from the nerves to the brain. About of 40% of the tested spider species contain at-least one peptide that blocked the pain channels.

So far, one peptide found to be most effective is of a spider name ‘Borneo orange-finger tarantula’ which according to the researchers has the right structure, stability and potency to become a painkilling drug. Well, since the process is still ongoing and scientists are further conducting tests on the peptides’ clinical potentials, looking for any unforeseen side-effects, whether the substance break down in the body and various other outcomes. This venom also has the capability to treat autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It is a great discovery done by the scientists from Australia, home to some of the most venomous creatures in the world and if the tests come up with a positive result, then surely it has the potential to lead a new class of painkillers.

/Anuttam/