PnPP-19 Peptide Restores Erectile Function in Hypertensive and Diabetic Animals Through Intravenous and Topical Administration.

Introduction: With the aim of overcoming the high toxicity of PnTx2-6 (or δ-CNTX-Pn2a), a toxin from the venom of the armed spider (Phoneutria nigriventer), the 19-aminoacid peptide, PnPP-19 (P nigriventer potentiator peptide), was synthesized based on molecular modeling studies of PnTx2-6. PnPP-19 improved the erectile function of normotensive rats and mice, without eliciting side effects, and no signs of toxicity were observed. In addition, PnPP-19 was able to potentiate the effect of sildenafil.

A spider derived peptide, PnPP-19, induces central antinociception mediated by opioid and cannabinoid systems.

Background: Some peptides purified from the venom of the spider have been identified as potential sources of drugs for pain treatment. In this study, we characterized the antinociceptive effect of the peptide PnPP-19 on the central nervous system and investigated the possible involvement of opioid and cannabinoid systems in its action mechanism.

Methods: Nociceptive threshold to thermal stimulation was measured according to the tail-flick test in Swiss mice.