Phα1β is a Promising Neuroprotective Peptide from the Phoneutria nigriventer ‘ Armed’ Spider

Phα1β and its recombinant form CTK 01512-2 are peptides. They are derived from the venom of the Phoneutria nigriventer ‘armed’ spider. They display biological effects. This work aimed to review the literature, to identify and summarize the pharmacological evidence that is available about Phα1β and its recombinant form CTK 01512-2. The search was conducted in PubMed, in addition to extensive snowballing in the Grey literature. No restrictions were applied to the study’s design or the language. A narrative approach was used to synthesize the found data. The review identified 41 works that focused on the mechanisms of action, together with toxicological, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective effects. The toxins were mainly compared with MVIIA (ziconotide). They were additionally investigated alone (by an intrathecal, intravenous, intraplantar, intracerebroventricular, or intrastriatal route), or combined with the TRP antagonist (transient receptor potential channel), or with opioids, such as morphine and methadone. In sum, both of the peptides were strong screening potential candidates, as an analgesic or as adjuvant treatment for several models of pain. The toxins both had a satisfactory safety profile. The field of their effects in neurodegenerative disease models was open to being explored, as CTK 01512-2 showed neuroprotection against multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease models.