In Brazil live one spider whose sting causes severe pain, intense sweating, tremors, cramps, weakness, altered heart rhythm and, in the most serious cases, death. Furthermore, if its victims have a penis, it causes a permanent erection, which can be very painful. It doesn’t sound pleasant at all. However, this last symptom has caught the attention of a team of scientists from the Federal University of Minas Geraiswho has decided to study it to obtain a kind of Viagra cream.
The arachnid in question, Phoneutria nigriventer, is known as Brazilian wandering spider or banana spider. The latter is not for the obvious reason, but because it is often found in banana leaves. Well, maybe that’s obvious too.
What these scientists have used It hasn’t been all spider venom. That would be very dangerous, based on what we’ve seen. They have only isolated the substance that causes erections and have refined the dose, formula and route of administration so that erections last just as long as necessary. Something like Viagra, but much saferaccording to the first phase of clinical trials that have already begun.
The origins of Viagra
Sildenafil, better known as Viagra, It was not intended as an erectile dysfunction drug.. It was developed in the late 80s in order to treat pulmonary hypertension. However, when clinical trials began with patients in 1991, it was noted that its side effects included involuntary erections. In fact, it seemed to be more effective in generating this effect than in treating possible angina pectoris.
Therefore, it was decided to change course and start testing it again in 1993, this time aimed at patients with erectile dysfunction. This is how Viagra was born. Since then, it is a widely used drug throughout the world, but it must be consumed with care, as it can cause many side effects. The milder and more common ones are just something headache, nausea, or hot flashes. However, there are also people who suffer chest pain, vision loss, or seizures, among other serious adverse effects. It occurs in less than 1 in 1,000 patients, but attention should be paid.
Furthermore, it is a drug not recommended for people with heart or liver problems, an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa wave low blood pressure. It should not be taken by patients who have suffered a leak or take drugs for angina. After all, that would practically be an overdose, since Viagra was designed for that. That is why this new drug, obtained from spider venom, would be the perfect solution for people with erectile dysfunction.
Spider venom to improve erections
Brazilian scientists have isolated different components of the banana spider venom, in search of the substance that causes long-lasting erections. This has led to the discovery that this effect is produced by a protein called BZ371A. Once isolated, the authors of the study just published tried synthesizing it in the laboratory, since that would be easier than extracting the complete venom from the spiders and isolating the desired ingredient. They managed to reproduce its structure, so all that was left was to test it.
Tests were first carried out on mice, with very good results. Subsequently, a first phase of clinical trials in humans has begun, aimed at analyzing its possible side effects. The drug is administered topicallyas it is a cream that is spread over the penis before sexual relations.
This minimizes side effects, so it has far fewer than Viagra. It has been tested at the topical dosage that would be used if it reached pharmacies. But, to be sure, these scientists also tested inject a higher dose. In neither case were there any side effects, so the cream would be very safe.
The next step for these researchers will be to test this Spider Viagra in patients with erectile dysfunction. If its effectiveness is equal to its safety, perhaps sildenafil’s days will begin to be numbered. Meanwhile, the little blue pill will continue to be the favorite of those looking for a little help with these issues.