Arachnids in medicine

Like plants and insects, arachnids have been used for thousands of years in traditional medical practices. Recent scientific research in natural bioactive factors has increased, leading to a renewed interest in venom components in many animals. In 1993 Margatoxin was synthesized from the venom of the Centruroides margaritatus the Central American bark scorpion. It is a peptide that selectively inhibits voltage-dependent potassium channels. Patented by Merck, it can potentially prevent neointimal hyperplasia, a common cause of bypass graft failure.

In addition to medical uses of arachnid defense compounds, a great amount of research has recently been directed toward synthesizing and using spider silk as a scaffolding for ligament generation. Spider silk is ideal for synthesizing medical skin grafts or ligament implants because it is one of the strongest known natural fibers and triggers little immune response in animals. Spider silk may also make fine sutures for stitching nerves or eyes to heal with little scarring. Medical uses of spider silk have been introduced previously. Spider silks have been used for centuries to fight infection and heal wounds. Efforts to produce industrial quantities and qualities of spider silk in transgenic goat milk are underway.