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A wanderer whose venom actuate prolonged and painful erections may hold the key to more inclusive discussion for erectile disfunction , scientists in Brazil report .

The researchers are testing a novel drug derived from the venom of theBrazilian wandering spider(Phoneutria nigriventer ) , also called the banana spider because it is sometimesaccidentally exported in banana dispatch . It is one of themost toxic specie of spidersin the universe .

A close-up picture of a Brazilian wandering spider showing its eyes and mouthparts.

Brazilian wandering spiders are some of the most venomous spiders on Earth, and their bite can be fatal.

Among other symptoms — including increased bloodline air pressure , nausea , abdominal cramps and convulsion — this spider ’s bite can cause a " elongated and unspeakable erecting , which can lead to sphacelus of the penis , " meaning death of its tissues , Maria Elena de Lima , a professor of biomedicine and medicine at the Santa Casa Belo Horizonte hospital in Brazil who is lead the inquiry , said in atranslated command .

However , in initial tryout , a boner - set off molecule drawn from the spite appears good to use in humans . " Tests , so far , have demonstrate that the compound works with the software of a minimum amount and without any toxicity , " de Lima said .

Related:1st over - the - counter gel for erectile disfunction approve by the FDA

The researcher Maria Elena de Lima works in the laboratory.

Scientists have been studying banana spider venom for almost 20 years to develop a new treatment for erectile dysfunction.

The team hope the molecule will eventually be an option to the drugs that are currently available to process erectile dysfunction , such as Viagra and Cialis . These presently available treatment do n’t work for all patient role and pose peril for those already taking nitrates — which are often prescribed for thorax pain — as thecombination can make a life-threatening drop in blood press .

While cavernous dysfunction treatments are generally thought safe for people with high blood pressure who are otherwise healthy , they are not suitable for patients who , in increase to in high spirits descent pressure , also have urinary tract problems . The drug may alsopose risks for people with stern nitty-gritty or liver problems .

The investigator , who have been studying banana spider venom for about 20 years , identified the corpuscle responsible for bit victims ' involuntary erectionsin 2008 , according to the statement . Further employment head to the creation of a synthetic equivalent in the laboratory , call BZ371A , which scientists first try on mice and rats .

web spider of Nephilengys malabarensis on its web, taken from the upper side in Macro photo

The particle , which scientist formulate into a colloidal gel and apply to the rodents ' groins , triggered erections in the fauna . Like the spider ’s venom , BZ371A triggers the release of nitric oxide , which boosts ancestry flow to the venereal area ; Viagra , by comparing , blocks an enzyme to make the phallus more sensitiveto nitric oxide released by the consistency . The treatment was successful in old rodent and those with high stock press and diabetes , the researcher said , advise it might work in people for whom effective medication is presently unavailable .

After test it on rodents , the researchers perform a pilot experimentation in man and women to test the safety of the gel in humans , and they then manifest the lack of toxic or otherwise undesirable effect in the first phase of clinical run .

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" It only has good local effects , with the absence seizure of negatively charged systemic effects,“Dr . Paulo Lacativa , a MD and the CEO of Biozeus , the company currently acquire the drug , said in the argument .

a close-up of a mosquito

The drug is now entering the second stage of trials , in which investigator will screen its outcome on men with cavernous dysfunction as a resultant of prostatectomy , the surgical removal of the prostate , which often lead to intimate dysfunction , according to the statement .

The intervention must pass a third and final phase of examination before it can potentially be approved as a medicine . The researchers are hopeful the drug could also treat female sexual dysfunction , as they find it increased blood menstruation to the female genital domain in the cowcatcher experimentation .

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