The molecule triggers the release of nitric oxide, a chemical essential for erections as it increases blood circulation and allows blood vessels to widen.

Covered in thick brown hair, and with a maximum size of up to 15 centimeters, this arachnid is one of the most venomous in the world.

Maria Elena, professor at UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais) told AFP the research could be especially important for men who have had their prostate removed.

“There is great resistance among men to undergo radical prostate surgery, for example in the case of cancer, because this leads to erectile dysfunction,” she said.

“And in this case, as the peptides are active in men who have had their prostate removed, it can further enable early cancer treatment.”

Erectile dysfunction affects tens of millions of men around the world.

Biologist Carolina Nunes says that the compound created by the researchers has “great potential to become an internationally recognized medicine.”

After the first phase of clinical trials was approved by Brazil’s Anvisa regulatory agency, the medication has now moved into the second of three phases before being approved for sale.

Maria Elena de Lima, a UFMG researcher said the discovery of a potential erectile dysfunction treatment was a message “not to destroy animals, even poisonous ones, because there is a real library of molecules that are still unknown.”

Additional information in this story were obtained from Euronews and Agence France Presse.