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.