Envenomation by the Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis): A case report on treatment with Latrodectus mactans antivenom.

Poecilotheria spiders are considered theraphosids of underestimated clinical importance, with bites from these species inducing symptoms such as severe pain and intense muscle cramps. However, there is no specific treatment for the envenomation caused by these species, which, while native to India and Sri Lanka, are widely distributed worldwide. The present study reports the case of a 31-year-old man bitten by a Poecilotheria regalis specimen.

Vasodilator activity of venom involves activation of the NO/cGMP pathway and inhibition of calcium influx to vascular smooth muscle cells.

Tarantula venoms may be a natural source of new vasodilator components useful in pharmacological research. Moreover, biological function data of the venoms are important to enhance the knowledge about the biodiversity and evolution of these species. The present study aims to describe the vasodilatory activity induced by the venom of on isolated rat aortic rings.

Rat aorta relaxation induced by the venom of Poecilotheria regalis involves the activation of the NO/cGMP pathway.

Spider venoms are widely recognized as a new emerging source of potential research tools, pesticides, drug leads, and therapeutic agents. Some studies suggest that these venoms may contain interesting vasodilator compounds with potential therapeutic applications. In the present study, the vasodilator activity of the venom of Poecilotheria regalis was evaluated in isolated rat aortic rings.