Australian scientists who analyzed the chemical composition of spider venom announced they had identified seven compounds that block a key step in the human body's ability to transmit signals to the brain associated with pain sensation, reports Reuters.
In this study, which could lead in the near future to develop a new class of analgesics, Australian researchers focused on 206 species of spiders and looked certain molecules in their venom that blocks nerve activity, particularly through the process called " Nav1.7 channels ".
Experts say one in five people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, and current treatments often fail in their goal to offer patients a long-term calming effect. The economic cost is also huge, whereas chronic pain generates medical expenses estimated at 600 million dollars just in the United States.
People feel pain in the body when certain nerves in the affected areas send signals to the brain through the process called 'pain channels ". This is precisely the process that scientists are trying to break with new analgesics.
"A compound that is able to block Nav1.7 channels are of particular interest," said Glenn King, professor at the University of Queensland in Australia, who led the study.
Previous studies have found a high resistance to pain among persons deprived of Nav1.7 channels, thanks to natural genetic mutations, thus blocking pain transmission pathways that would have the potential to eliminate this sensation and endowed people with normal sensory channels .
The study was published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Source: mediafax
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