Chiliean Black Widow Spider Venom Irresistable To Scientists

They've long thought Lactrodectus mactans' venom contains an ingredient from which a marketable contraceptive could be produced but now, they also think it may prove effective in treating erectile dysfunction.

Scientists at the Universidad de la Frontera in southern Chile have filed an international patent application in Germany for their work in molecularly separating a component that could be used as an alternative to PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra from the spider's venom. They believe their discovery would represent a huge improvement, as it would come without side-effects.

The group of scientists, led by Doctor Fernando Romero, a molecular biologist at the university, 675 kilometers (420 miles) south of Santiago, is anxiously waiting for patent approval. The scientists hope to have a drug derived from the spider's venom developed and ready for the market place by 2015.

There are many species of black widow spider found throughout North and South America. A bite from any of them will result in muscle contractions, generalized pain, chills, fever, vomiting, hypertension and even death in some cases. However, the Lactrodectus mactans, found in tall grasses and wheat fields of southern Chile, has a unique and intriguing characteristic; a bite from this spider has been known to cause priapism in men.

Priapism is characterized by a painful erection of the penis that lasts longer than four hours. The affliction has long been documented in medical records of Chile's field workers who are prone to bites and in Chilean folklore which describes a virile man known to have spectacular sexual energy or many sexual partners as "spider-bitten."

The symptom can last for up to six days. Romero told Reuters he saw a potential commercial adaptation for the venom and decided to attempt to isolate the specific component that causes priapism.

"When this spider bites, one of the effects it produces, and it produces many effects, but one is the introduction of prolonged penile erections in bitten patients. So, from that point of view, at least, part of the fraction of the venom produces this action and therefore in the laboratory what we need to do is isolate this molecular structure," Romero said.

Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections.

Defining ED and estimating its incidence is difficult, but estimates range from 15 million to 30 million sufferers in the U.S. alone, depending on the definition used.

"Erectile dysfunction is a pathology that impedes the man's ability to have an erection in order to have sexual relations. This erectile dysfunction can come from a psychological or organic origin," said sexologist Eduardo Pino.

Estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Survey in the United States suggest that the cost of treatment of ED in the U.S. would reach $15 billion if all sufferers sought care.

Those involved in the black widow venom project say their drug will be a huge success and will be more effective than sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and other PDE5 inhibitors, and without harmful side effects like accelerated heart rate.

While the team of researchers wait for the announcement of their pending patent, Romero says the product is ready to enter the clinical phase where it will be tested and developed further by pharmaceutical companies and if all goes well could be available in pharmacies in the next six years.

While investigating the spider venom for its potential in treating ED Romero and his team also discovered another possible beneficial molecular component of the venom.

"Just like we discovered a molecular structure that works against [erectile] dysfunction, we have discovered another molecule that has an effect that might be useful as a spermicide for men," Romero added.

Romero believes the molecule's natural properties are superior to those of synthetic spermicides currently on the market and hopes this too will prove to be a lucrative discovery.

Chilean scientists say the venom of a black widow spider can treat Erectile Dysfunction more effectively than Viagra and hope to patent their research.