We spoke briefly in the past about how researchers are looking at spiders as a potential source of relief for patients battling chronic pain, and new research suggests that a tarantula may hold some answers.
According to researchers in Australia, the Peruvian Green Velvet Tarantula, native to South America, may help advance our knowledge of chronic pain reception and expression. A bite from the spider isn’t deadly enough to kill, and in fact, it may have some benefits. Researchers say the venom actually helps to inhibit pain receptors in the body.
“Our group is specifically interested in understanding the mode of action of this toxin to gain information that can guide us in the design and optimization of novel pain therapeutics,” said Sónia Troeira Henriques, senior research officer at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
The peptide toxin, referred to simply as ProTx-II, works to block pain signals by binding to the membranes of nerve cells.
“Our results show that the cell membrane plays an important role in the ability of ProTx-II to inhibit the pain receptor,” said Henriques. “In particular, the neuronal cell membranes attract the peptide to the neurons, increase its concentration close to the pain receptors, and lock the peptide in the right orientation to maximize its interaction with the target.”
Venom and Chronic Pain
Based on the new findings, researchers are hoping to mimic the effects of the venom in drug form. They see at as a new avenue in the pursuit of pain management.
“Our work creates an opportunity to explore the importance of the cell membrane in the activity of peptide toxins that target other voltage-gated ion channels involved in important disorders,” said Henriques.
The Australian team isn’t the only one studying the role of venom in chronic pain management. Researchers out of Germany are exploring the benefits of snail venom in pain control, citing an added benefit that the venom decomposes quickly and thus is less likely to lead to dependency and abuse. That research is farther along, as a drug has already been created using the snail venom. The drug is called Prialt, and it is being used as a spinal pain injection to treat pain from failed surgery, cancer and AIDS.