How Can Spider Venom be Used in Medicine?
Omar Mahmoud
Did you know that spider venom is very useful? I mean, of course, it hurts if it gets into your body as a bite, but spider venom actually has many useful properties. There are two types of toxins in spiders, cytotoxins and neurotoxins. Each of them has its uses and properties.
For example, cytotoxins are toxins that are secreted by spiders to attack and kill cells and tissues. Cytotoxins are therefore used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. They are also used to treat rheumatic diseases, stop pain and inflammation, and also slow down disease progression.
The other type of toxin found in spiders, neurotoxin (the cooler one in my opinion), attacks nerve cells. This one is used widely in treating chronic pain- pain that lasts longer than 3-6 months. Chronic pain happens when nerves in a certain part of the body send signals to the brain that there is pain. Neurotoxins can be used to target those nerves and block them from sending these signals.
Neurotoxins are found in nature or are man-made. The most common? Sugar. Sugar is a type of neurotoxin and if consumed too much can lead to neurological disorders and other diseases. In fruits, there are other components to help metabolize the sugar.
So there you have it. Spider toxins are actually very useful. They are used to stop lots of diseases and disorders. The same things they are made of and do, can also be found in many things we use in our daily lives. So next time you see a spider, remember its helpful properties, and how it helps our world.
Fun Facts:
There are 9 million spider venoms, and only 0.01% have been explored so far.
The most venomous spider ever is the Atrax Robustus.
The tarantula, one of the world’s most feared spiders, has surprisingly little venom and a bite that feels more like a wasp sting.
The Atrax Robustus (a.k.a the Sydney Funnel-Wed)