Scientists have claimed that they have found a potential way to reduce the body pain using spider venom. The researchers conducted a study to understand the prospects of chemicals present in spider venom to help develop a new class of potent painkillers that prevent pain signals from passing to the brain.

The study group conducted an analysis of venom of 206 species of spider. They looked for molecules in the venom that have high efficacy of blocking nerve activity, particularly through so-called Nav1.7 channels.

According to experts, chronic pain is felt by one in five people worldwide and existing treatments are not good enough to provide sufficient or long-term relief. Cost of pain to the economy is also high with estimated $600 billion a year in the United States alone.

The mechanism behind sense of pain in a part of body works as nerves from the affected area pass signals to the brain through the pain pathway. Scientists focus on this pathway to develop new pain medicines to disrupt it. Scientists are particularly intrigued by a compound that blocks Nav1.7 channels, said Glenn King, who led the study at Australia's University of Queensland.

Previous researches have provided enough evidence that people who lack Nav1.7 channels due to a naturally occurring genetic mutation do not feel much pain. The results excited scientists to look out for ways that can block these channels, and in turn switch off pain in people with normal pathways.

Findings of the study have been published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. "Untapping this natural source of new medicines brings a distinct hope of accelerating the development of a new class of painkillers that can help people who suffer from chronic pain that cannot be treated with current treatment options", said Julie K. Klint of the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.