The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience released a report today which showed using spider venom is promising to tailor pain blockers for people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Researchers analysed 28 spiders and it was the Venezuelan Pinkfoot Goliath tarantula that showed the most promise.
Team leader Professor Richard Lewis as well as his collaborator from Flinder's University professor Stuart Brierley explained how the venom can work to inhibit the pain.
Voltage-gated ion channels open and close in response to changes across the cell membrane, with their dysfunction identified as a cause of chronic visceral pain.
Professsor Lewis said spider venoms contain hundreds of mini-proteins known as peptides that can inhibit voltage-gated ion channels from opening.
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