Title:Ion Channels-related Neuroprotection and Analgesia Mediated by Spider
Venom Peptides
Volume: 24
Issue: 5
Author(s): Ana Caroline Nogueira Souza, Nancy Scardua Binda, Huemara Yuri Almeida, Célio José de Castro Júnior, Marcus Vinicius Gomez, Fabíola Mara Ribeiro and Juliana Figueira Da Silva*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
Keywords:
Ion channels, neuroprotection, analgesia, spider venom, spider toxins, spider peptides.
Abstract: Ion channels play critical roles in generating and propagating action potentials and in neurotransmitter
release at a subset of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Dysfunction of these channels
has been linked to various health conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain.
Neurodegeneration is one of the underlying causes of a range of neurological pathologies, such as
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), cerebral ischemia, brain injury, and retinal ischemia.
Pain is a symptom that can serve as an index of the severity and activity of a disease condition,
a prognostic indicator, and a criterion of treatment efficacy. Neurological disorders and pain are
conditions that undeniably impact a patient's survival, health, and quality of life, with possible financial
consequences. Venoms are the best-known natural source of ion channel modulators. Venom peptides
are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic tools due to their high selectivity and potency
gained through millions of years of evolutionary selection pressure. Spiders have been evolving
complex and diverse repertoires of peptides in their venoms with vast pharmacological activities for
more than 300 million years. These include peptides that potently and selectively modulate a range of
targets, such as enzymes, receptors, and ion channels. Thus, components of spider venoms hold considerable
capacity as drug candidates for alleviating or reducing neurodegeneration and pain. This review
aims to summarize what is known about spider toxins acting upon ion channels, providing neuroprotective
and analgesic effects.