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Home , Arizona bark scorpion, Deathstalker, Ilybius fenestratus, Lytta, Megalopyge lanata, Phoneutria nigriventer

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2012; 16: 539-547 and their products as aphrodisiacs – review of literature

B. PAJOVIC1, M. RADOSAVLJEVIC2, M. RADUNOVIC3, N. RADOJEVIC4, B. BJELOGRLIC5

1Urology and Nephrology Clinic, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Podgorica (Montenegro) 2Department of Surgery, Public Hospital Kotor, Kotor (Montenegro) 3Surgery Clinic, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Podgorica (Montenegro) 4Department of Forensic Medicine, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Podgorica (Montenegro) 5Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade (Serbia)

Abstract. – After a short review of impo- Authors even claim that 10% of male population tence, the definitions of erectants and aphrodisi- is impotent2. Two similar types of medications acs are presented. The Authors propose division are used in treatment of this state. Erectants are of arthropods according to the places of effect. substances which cause or facilitate penile erec- The description of particular arthropods with 3 their pictures and nomenclature, is followed by tions . Aphrodisiacs are medicines that induce certain or probable mechanisms of achieving the certain, drug dependent, arousal of sexual desire aphrodisiac and sometimes toxic effect, that and the ability to perform the sexual act, which, were available in the literature since 1929 till idealy, lasts a few hours4. American neurophar- nowadays. We mention the most usual locations, macologists consider that an ideal aphrodisiac is mainly in Asia, where they are found and con- a two hours’ erectant5. sumed, but also, we describe the manner of preparing and intake. The review includes the We consider that the division of aphrodisiacs following arthropods: lobster, bark scor- according to the place of effect is the most suit- pion, deathstalker, banana , Mediterranean able: black widow, Burmeister’s triatoma, giant water bug, diving-, Korean bug, diaclina, flannel 1. Stimulators of the lower abdomen and pelvis , Spanish , migratory locust, red wood structures, especially the ones of the urogenital and honeybee. tract (, papaverine, prostaglandin Key Words: E1, phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors) 2. Stimulators of the spinal cord (, Aphrodisiac, , Beetle, Bug, Lobster, Penile damiana active principles) erection, , . 3. Brain stimulators – Specific stimulators (naloxone, metaqualon, marijuana, sex hormones) – Modificators of brain neurotransmission • Serotonin related (parachlorophenylala- Introduction nine, danitracene, methysergide) • Dopamine related (apomorphine, L-DOPA, The word aphrodisiac comes from the name of amantadine, bromocriptine)6. the Greek Goddess of sexual love and beauty, Aphrodite. In the kingdom (Regnum Animalia) Impotence in a wider sense of the word, be- systematisation, one Phylum is consisted of Poly- sides the loss of libido, implies the inability to meria, which are divided into Anellidae and achieve and hold an erection, and the inability of Arthropodae. Some representatives of arthropods ejaculation or even an early ejaculation. It is a are used as aphrodisiacs for many millennia, es- very widespread phenomenon, present in almost pecially in Asia, so many of these have passed 40% of men in sexually active couples1. Some the test of time. Nowadays, they can be found in

Corresponding Author: Nemanja Radojevic, MD; e-mail: [email protected] 539 B. Pajovic, M. Radosavljevic, M. Radunovic, N. Radojevic, B. Bjelogrlic different forms in market places or at street mer- very rarely with deadly outcome. Besides severe chants. They are used as spice in food, as a main pain, numbness, tingling, sometimes paralysis, course, or as a medicine. convulsions and difficult breathing which are the In text below, the most famous of symptoms of scorpionism in humans that may arthropods or their products used as aphrodisiacs last up to 72 hours, penile erection is also very are described: lobster, Arizona bark scorpion, common in all age13. People who were stung re- deathstalker, banana spider, Mediterranean black port that it felt like getting struck with a bolt of widow, Burmeister’s triatoma, giant water bug, lightening or electrical current. diving-beetle, Korean bug, diaclina – Panzer’s deposited via the intravenous route can darkling beetle, , Spanish fly, migra- cause symptoms only 4-7 minutes after the injec- tory locust, red wood ant and honeybee. tion, with a peak tissue concentration in 30 min- utes and an overall elimination half-life of Lobster 4-12 hours through the urine. Scorpion venom Supraclassis: Crustacea may contain multiple compounds in varying con- Classis: Crustacea centrations of , cardiotoxin, nephro- Subclassis: Malacostraca toxin, hemolytic toxin, phosphodiesterases, phos- Familia: Palirunidae pholipases, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronidases, : Palinurus histamine, serotonin, tryptophan, etc. From the Species: Palinurus sp. mentioned, neurotoxin is the most potent with neuromuscular, neuroautonomic and local tissue In the Middle Ages, boiled lobsters were very effects. It alters voltage-dependent sodium chan- highly appreciated aphrodisiacs7,8. Also, San- nels, which lead to prolonged excessive neuronal soni’s encyclopedic dictionary puts lobsters in and neuromuscular activity, such as erection. It aphrodisiacs9. Lobster’s meat is soft, very tasteful causes stabilization of voltage-dependent sodium and known as an exceptional delicacy. It has been channels in the open position, leading to continu- proved that occasional abundant lobster meals of ous, prolonged, repetitive firing of the somatic, high quality can cause hyperaemia in abdominal sympathetic, and parasympathetic neurons. This and pelvic organs, and thus bring to an aphrodisi- repetitive firing results in autonomic and neuro- ac effect. Besides that, the enjoyment in such muscular over excitation symptoms, and it pre- high value food rises general mental state and so vents normal nerve impulse transmissions14. produces stimulation of libido7,8,10-12. This is the probable mechanism of the lobster’s aphrodisiac Deathstalker effect. Supraclassis: There is also a very interesting fact concerning Classis: Arachnida lobster’s fertility. It does not slow down or weak- Ordo: Scorpiones en with age. Actually, older lobsters are more fer- Familia: tile than younger lobsters. Telomerase is an en- Subfamilia: Buthinae zyme that repairs DNA, so it may be the key fact Genus: seu Buthus to avoid the aging as the way of immortality. In- Species: Leiurus quinquestriatus (Hector) take of those whose characteristics are wanted, may be the point of lobster’s aphrodisiac effect. Scorpionism caused by the sting of this North American scorpion is often characterised by Arizona Bark Scorpion pathological erections – the priapism15-17. Almost Supraclassis: Chelicerata complete symptomatology produced by the neuro- Classis: Arachnida toxin poisoning if these Buthoidae is a conse- Ordo: Scorpiones quence of the autonomic nervous system stimula- Familia: Buthidae tion14,15,17,18,19. The poison consists of four compo- Subfamilia: Buthinae nents: chlorotoxin, , scyllatoxin and Genus: . The venom stimulates sacral parasym- Species: Centruroides sculpturatus (Ewing) pathetic nerves which leads to changes in periph- eral non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic transmis- It is a small brown scorpion, whose habitat is sion in vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles. Northern America, where it is of a toxicological The main transmitter is vasoactive intestinal importance, as the most venomous scorpion, but polypeptide (VIP). It is released from the VIP-re-

540 Arthropods and their products as aphrodisiacs – review of literature leasing nerves located most densely around the Latrodectus genus is spread all over the world. pudendal artery and the erectile tissue of human The most venomous is the European – Mediter- corpus calosum. The released VIP is the strongest ranean spider. The ancient Authors, even Avicen- relaxant of the penile vascular and smooth muscle na, noticed that erections, priapism and libido structures, leading to tumescence and erection of arousal appeared in contrast to the bad general the penis20. This is the most probable mechanism condition of patients with latrodectism23. The pri- for the erection caused by the Buthoidae venom. apism itself and libido enhancement, as the Other components of deathstalker’s toxin cocktail symptoms of latrodectism, have been described are a potential in treatment of brain tumors and in- by many Authors21,24-30. Latrodectism induced sulin regulation in diabetes. erections and priapism are a consequence of lum- bosacral parasympathetic structure stimulation27. Banana Spider Maretic considers that, beside the autonomic Classis: Arachnida nerve stimulation, blood viscosity lays a certain Ordo: Araneae role21,24. Subordo: Labidognatha Bettini and Cantore27 reported about a patient Familia: Ctenidae who was treated in hospital for latrodectism, in a Genus: phase of severe pain experienced erection and a Species: Phoneutria nigriventer (Keyserling) compelling sexual desire. In that condition he ran to his wife to satisfy his lust. In past centuries were often used as aphrodisiacs. In South America women mix spi- Burmeister’s Triatoma ders in the food they give their impotent spouses Supraclassis: Tracheata seu Antennata to increase their sexual desire21. Classis: Insecta In Brasil, Phoneutria nigriventer is called the Ordo: Hemiptera seu Rhynchota “aranha armadeira” because of its defensive-ag- Subordo: Heteroptera gressive posture in the state of fright. It is also Familia: Reduviidae called the “brasilian ” or “ba- Subfamilia: Triatominae nana spider”. Adult specimens have up to 4 cm Genus: Triatoma long trunk and 12 to 15 cm wide leg span. Sub- Species: Triatoma phyllosoma (Burmeister) cutaneous application of sublethal doses of this spider’s toxin induces penile erection in dogs. It Inhabitants of a Mexican province Nayarit eat lasts for hours, often longer than 24 hours. a bug called “chinche decompostela” to achieve This spider’s venom also causes erections in aphrodisiac effect31-33. It is a big winged bug mice. The relation between the dose and the fol- from the family of Kissing bugs, which lives in lowing erection is different in dogs and mice. In animal lairs in the southern parts of North Ameri- dogs, only high doses induce erection, while in ca, Central and South America. It also feeds on mice the relation is inversely proportional. The human blood, and when attached inflicts a very higher the dose the smaller number of mice has painful bite. As a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, an erection. Mice which receive smaller doses of the causative agent of Chagas disease, it is also the venom demonstrate only penile erection22. An medically significant31,33. Butanoic acid derived interesting fact is that children with this araneism from the Brindley’s scent glands is a strong irri- often mention erection as a symptom. tant31,34, found in butter and parmesan cheese as a It is considered that the erections in this product of anaerobic fermentation (also found in araneism are a consequence of higher nervous body odor). It has an unpleasant smell and acrid system stimulation, because it can be induced in taste, with a sweetish aftertaste. It can be detect- dogs with cut spinal cord at twelfth thoracic ver- ed by mammals with good scent detection abili- tebra. It is thought that the erection is not a result ties (such as dogs) at 10 ppb, whereas humans of reflexes produced by urogenital stimulation22. can detect it in concentrations above 10 ppm35. Subjects describe the bite of Triatoma as virtually Mediterranean Black Widow painless with a slight tingling sensation. It is as- Familia: Theridionidae sumed that consuming of this produces an Genus: Latrodectus aphrodisiac effect by irritating abdominal and Species: Latrodectus mactans (Fabricius) pelvic organs, or it acts as pheromone – natural Subspecies: Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi) sexual attractant.

541 B. Pajovic, M. Radosavljevic, M. Radunovic, N. Radojevic, B. Bjelogrlic

Giant Water Bug Korean bug is used in Malysia, Singapure, Classis: Insecta Sumatra and Java as aphrodisiac. In Indonesia, it is Ordo: Hemiptera seu Rhynchot called “bobok”, and it is eaten alive or in gelati- Familia: Belostomatidae nous capsules. Swingers of the Singapure jet-set Genus: Belostoma seu Lethocerus highly appreciate and pay well for this insect42. For Species: Lethocerus indicus (Lepeletier et Serville) now, it is proved that it is a vector of causative agent of a hymenolepiasis39,49. If it possesses a true Belostomatidae are big water with a aphrodisiac effect, it is achieved by catharidin, in- flattened body. They are the biggest representa- hibition of phosphodiesterase, protein phosphatase tives of the Hemiptera order, reaching the length activity and stimulation of -adrenergic receptors, of 12 cm35. We found several specimens of this inducing vascular congestion and inflammation. bug in the southern Adriatic coast. Their bite can The effect of catharidin is described in Span- be very painful, similar to a ’s one34. In Sin- ish fly chapter, in the text below. gapure and Kuala Lumpur, feces of this bug as it itself, dried, are sold as aphrodisiac38,41. Viet- Diaclina – Panzer’s Darkling Beetle namese people really love to use their metaster- Classis: Insecta nal scent glands as spice38. These glands produce Ordo: Coleoptera some alkenol esters which serve them in defense Subordo: Polyphaga or as pheromone, sexual attractant34,40,41. Familia: Tenebrionidae Subfamilia: Ulominae Diving-Beetle Genus: Diaclina Classis: Insecta Species: Diaclina fagi (Panzer) Ordo: Coleoptera Familia: Diaclina is used as aphrodisiac in China and Genus: Dytiscus Korea, under a local name “young-chun”. It is Species: Dytiscus marginalis (Linnaeus) consumed after fed by some Chinese aphrodisiac plants. Chinese Authors consider that it this way, Diving-beetle specimens are sold and used as the curative power of the plants is enhanced up to aphrodisiac in Singapure38. It is proved that in de- ten times. Consumers claim that it tastes like fense purposes, from Dytiscidae family in pepper. If many bugs are taken at once, the upper their two prothoracal glands produce and excrete respiratory and alimentary system can be irritat- steroid molecules and even sex hormones like: ed. Recommended dose is five to seven insects testosterone, estrone, progesterone and some an- that are chewed slowly with some other food and drosterones42-45. Many Authors claim that sex hor- drink, just before going to bed. The dose can be mones even in microdoses significantly stimulate li- increased up to ten pieces, three times a day50. bido and sexual function in humans (46-48). Andro- The aphrodisiac effect is probably achieved by gens and estrogens do not differ in the process of stimulating the urogenital structures. achieving the aphrodisiac effect. Free fraction of testosterone is transformed metabolically in estradi- Flannel Moth ol-17 (E2) by aromatisation in all sexually compe- Classis: Insecta tent tissues. E2 is circa hundred times more effec- Ordo: tive than testosterone itself and is considered to be Familia: Megalopigydae sexually active in the brain48. Having this in mind, Genus: we think that Dytiscidae achieve their aphrodisiac Species: Megalopyge lanata (Stoll et Cramer) effect by stimulating the central nervous system. Native inhabitants of South America use cater- Korean Bug pillars of some butterflies (erucae) in libidos cer- Classis: Insecta emonies. The erucism, a reaction to envenoma- Ordo: Coleoptera tion from certain poisonous caterpillar spines, in Subordo: Polyphaga those regions is caused by six families of Familia: Tenebrionidae phanerotoxic moth. The caterpillar of nigth Genus: Martianus from the Megalopigydae family is known Species: Martianus seu Palembus dermestoides as “tatorana” or “cuy machucuy” – the flaming (Farmaire) caterpillar. They are protected by long slightly

542 Arthropods and their products as aphrodisiacs – review of literature curved piles of which some are connected with ital organs, which is used as pheromone, a sexual glands localised in cutis and subcutis. The glands atractant65,66. Almost all of the Meloidaea species excrete defense substances that cause urticaria. use cantharidin as a defense toxin51. Hyperaemia, erythema and itching on skin and Catharidin is an unreliable and unsafe aphro- mucosa are symptoms of this erucism in hu- disiac, whose effect is based on stimulation of the mans68. Locally applied on the outer genitals, urogenital tract, strong pelvic hyperaemia with these caterpillars have erectile effect by irritating consequent erection, possibly priapism11,55,57-60,67. urogenital system through the skin. The therapeutic width is very narrow. Peroral lethal dose for humans is also not exact and is in Spanish Fly range from 10 to 50 mg56,59, but survival after 175 Classis: Insecta mg has also been noticed55. Toxic effect can be Ordo: Coleoptera seen after ingestion of 600 mg od smashed Familia: Meloidae Meloidae, while death occurs after 1.5 to 3 g58. It Genus: is proved it can lead to gastrointestinal hemor- Species: Lytta vesicatoria (Fabricius) rhage and hemathuria62. Cases of acute renal fail- ure and pseudopolycythaemia72,73, neurological This is the most important and most common- disorders as flaccid paralysis – Guillain-Barré24, ly studied arthropod with aphrodisiac effect. and even deadly outcome have been described. Representatives of this family are found in all continents, where they are often used as aphro- Migratory Locust disiacs. The most famous are: Spanish fly – Lytta Classis: Insecta vesicatoria Fabricius50-60, Chinese cantharide – Ordo: Orthoptera Mylabris cichorii Fabricius52,60, Chinese blister Subordo: Caelifera fly – Mylabris sidae Fabricius38, Eastern-Indian Familia: Acrididae or Blue cantharide – Lytta gigas Fabricius63, Subfamilia: Oedipodinae CMR bean beetle (“CMR” refers to the Cape Genus: Pachytylus seu Locusta Mounted Rifle Corps, a police force in the old Species: Locusta migratorius (Linnaeus) Cape Colony whose uniforms sported black and Subspecies: Locusta migratoria migratoroides yellow bands that resemble the colors of this - (Reiche) tle) – Mylabris oculata Thumberg58 and vittata Fabricius56. Ridley claims that consumption of migratory The use of these insects as aphrodisiacs is locust’s ovipositors (organs used by some ani- mentioned the famous Greek physician mals for oviposition, the laying of eggs) has Dioskurid in the 1st century A.D. The second aphrodisiac effect, and is used on Malay peninsu- milestone in the impotence therapy, Meloidae la38. Two species of locusts are eaten there, while achieve in 13th century, when they helped Louis Locusta migratoroides Reiche is more often used XV and Ferdinand the Catholic to cure impo- than Oxya velox Thunberg. The mechanism of tence56. At the beginning of the 18th century this effect can be related to the stimulation of Markiz de Sade used and propagated these in- gastrointestinal tract. sects in his brothel52. There is a PhD thesis from The migratory locust is polyphenic. It transi- 1713, in which Quistorp described aphrodisiacs tions between two main phenotypes in response of that time, with a special attention to these in- to population density; the solitary phase and the sects11. During the last century, they were very gregarious phase. As the density of the population popular in impotence therapy, but studies about increases the locust transforms progressively from their toxic repercussions dominate in the litera- the solitary phase towards the gregarious phase. ture52-56,58,59,61-63. In the 70ies of the last century, Mature males release several volatiles, among the cantharidin (active principle of these ) them phenylacetonitrile, which are reported to ac- was considered as a first choice medicine in celerate sexual maturation in young males. Com- treatment of impotence in men in their fifties64. prehensive studies have demonstrated that pheny- The active principle of dried and smashed lacetonitrile is used by mature gregarious males Meloidaea bodies is cantharidin, the anhydride of as a courtship inhibition pheromone to enhance canthardin’s acid. Cantharidin is found in blood, mate guarding74. Besides females locusts, males ovaries and soft tissues of these flies. Males pro- also produce substance(s) with aphrodisiac effect duces cantharidin in the accessory glands of gen- but with different way of action.

543 B. Pajovic, M. Radosavljevic, M. Radunovic, N. Radojevic, B. Bjelogrlic

Red Wood Ant is a bee product consisted of 80 to 85% Classis: Insecta highly nutrient carbohydrates, mostly inverted Ordo: Hymenoptera mono-saccharides. As it is a high quality food, Familia: Formicidae the aphrodisiac effect might be achieved in the Genus: Formica same way as in lobsters7,8,10-12, but it is also rich Species: Formica rufa (Linnaeus) in B vitamin complex and amino acid content boosting energy and stamina. Honey provides a Red wood ant is commonly found throughout quick shot of natural sugar. much of Europe in both coniferous and broad- leaf broken woodland and parkland. Workers can measure 8-10 mm in length. Quistorp’s PhD thesis from the 18th century Conclusions about real aphrodisiacs mentions the use of in that manner11. Dufour’s gland opens into the According to the division stated in the intro- dorsal vaginal wall and its secretion have been duction, we can classify the arthropods in the “somewhat of a mystery”. In ants these glands table below (Table I). The difference between in- excrete formic acid, the strongest among saturat- ner and outer irritants of lower abdominal and ed alkane acids, an nonspecific irritant, used in pelvic stimulators is that the inners are taken per defense. Formic acid was first extracted in 1671 os, while the outers are applied on the skin of the by the English naturalist John Ray by distilling a genitals. large number of crushed ants of this species. Most arthropod species are used as aphrodisi- The ant cocoons are very nutrient and tasteful. acs in Asia and South America. This phenome- Nowadays, it is locally applied on the genital re- non is especially present in subcultural environ- gion for sexual stimulation and orgasm enhance- ments, but even high social groups benefit from ment (formicofilia)69,70,71. this kind of impotence therapy. Their medical use may have at least three consequences: aphrodisi- Honeybee ac effect, poisoning or parasitic infestation. Classis: Insecta Arthropods and their products are present in Ordo: Hymenoptera impotence treatment even nowadays, due to cen- Familia: Apidae turies long tradition, easy availability and high Genus: Apis diversity. Some of the described arthropods re- Species: Apis mellifica (Linnaeus)

Honey is also known as the nectar of Aphrodite. Table I. Division of arthropods as aphrodisiacs according In ancient times the tradition was to present the to the places of effect. newlyweds with honey to help them enjoy their first sexual act and help conceiving a child. Even Hip- Aphrodisiacs achieving effect by irritating the pocrates prescribed honey for sexual endurance. lower abdominal and pelvic structures Sheikh Nefzawi, in his masterpiece from the 16th Internal irritants Palinurus sp. Triatoma phyllosoma century, the classic of Islamic erotic literature, “The Leithocerus indicus Perfumed Gardens”, honey is mentioned as a medi- Martianus dermestoides cine that directly improves the semen quality and Diaclina fagi enhances sexual pleasure10. Two centuries later, Lytta vesicatoria honey mixed with linen seed (Linumusitatissimum External irritants Megalopyge lanata Formica rufa Linnaeus) and pepper (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) was used to arise libido11. The use of honey as an aphro- Aphrodisiacs achieving effect by irritating the spinal cord disiac is also mentioned in the Kama Sutra, where it Centruroides sculpturatus is said that honey spiced with nutmeg is said to Leiurus quinquestriatus heighten an orgasm. This faith in honey as an Phoneutria nigriventer aphrodisiac and energy booster is connected to the Latrodectus tredecimguttatus ancient tradition of the honeymoon when couples Aphrodisiacs achieving effect by irritating the brain went into seclusion, drinking a honey mixture until Dytiscus marginalis the first new moon of their marriage. Attila the Hun Palinurus sp. Apis mellifica drank a lot of honey on his honeymoon.

544 Arthropods and their products as aphrodisiacs – review of literature

Pictures obtained by courtesy and with permission of João P. Burini (http://www.flickr.com/people/techuser) and Dr. Christoph Benisch, Mannheim, Germany (http://www.kerbtier.de). Other pictures were taken by the authors and some from the sources which were not copyright protected (eg. http://zoology.fns.uniba.sk).

545 B. Pajovic, M. Radosavljevic, M. Radunovic, N. Radojevic, B. Bjelogrlic quire detailed chemical and pharmacological re- 15) SHULOV A,LEVY G.VENOMSOF BUTHINAE.IN:BETTI- search, all in the aim of scientific rejection of NI S, EDITOR. Atrhropod . Berlin-Heidel- berg-New York: Springer Verlag, 1978; pp. 309- their aphrodisiac effect hypothesis or acceptance 369. with possible adequate chemical modification to 16) EFRATI P. Poisoning scorpion stings in Israel. Am J be used as proven aphrodisiacs. Trop Med 1949; 29: 249-257. 17) SKLAROVSKY L,LEVIN M. Alfa and beta receptor blocking agents in a case of yellow scorpion sting –––––––––––––––––––– with severe cardiovascular effects. Harefuah Acknowledgements 1969: 77: 521-522. We wish to thank the people who allowed us to use 18) BARSOUM GS, NABAVY M, SALAMA S. Scorpion poison- their pictures of arthropods: João P. Burini ing its signs, symptoms and treatment. J http://www.flickr.com/people/techuser. Dr. Christoph Med Ass 1954; 37: 857-862. Benisch, Mannheim, Germany http://www.kerbtier.de: 19) GUERON M,YAROM R. Cardiovascular manifesta- Department of Zoology, Comenius University, Bratisla- tions of severe scorpion sting. Clinopathologic va, Slovakia http://zoology.fns.uniba.sk/. correlations. Chest 1970; 57: 156-162. 20) ADAIKAN PG, KOTTEGODA SR, RATNAM SS. Is vasoac- tive intestinal polypeptide the principal transmitter involved in human penile erection? J Urol 1986; References 135: 638-640. 21) MARETIZ,LEBEZ D. Poisonous Spiders. Araneism with special overview on Istria. 2nd Ed. Pula: 1) BENETE AE, MELMAN A. The epidemiology of erec- tile dysfunction. Urol Clin N Am 1995; 22: 699- Otokar Keršovani, 1985; pp. 11-34, pp. 91-115, 709. pp. 127-128. 22) CHENBER EREIRA IMA Venom of Ctenidae. In: 2) NELLANS RE, ELLIS LR, KRAMER-LEVIEN D. Pharmaco- S S, P L FA. logical erection: diagnosis and treatment applica- Bettini S, editor. Arthropod venoms. Berlin-Heidel- tions in 69 patients. J Urol 1987; 138: 152-154. berg – New York: Springer Verlag, 1978; pp. 217- 245. 3) Dille JM. Aphrodisiacs: a project in search of a sponsor. Psychopharmacol Bull 1975; 11: 43-44. 23) MARETIC Z. Out poisonous and plants. Za- greb: Stvarnost 1986; pp. 70-96. Maretic Z. Epi- 4) LAURENCE DR, BENNETT PN. Clinical phgarmacology. demiology of envenomation, symptomatology, 2ne Ed. Zagreb: JUMENA, 1984: p. 498. pathology and treatment (venoms of Theridiidae 5) Renshaw DC. Drugs and sex: a study of the effect genus Latrodectus) In: Bettini S, editor. Arthropod of drugs on fuman sexuality. J Nurs Care 1978; venoms. Berlin-Heidelberg-New-York: Springer 11: 16-19. Verlag, 1978; pp. 185-212. 6) RADOSAVLJEVIC M. Nowdays occasion in aphrodisi 24) HARRISBERG J, DESETA JC, COHEN L, TEMLETT J, MILNE acs field. Vojnosanit Pregl 1989; 46: 454-460. FJ. Cantharidin poisoning with neurological com- 7) COSMAN MP. A feast for Aesculapius: historical di- plications. S Afr Med J 1984; 65: 614-615. ets for asthma and sexual pleasure. Ann Rev Nutr 25) VANOVSKI B. Latrodectism in Yugoslavia. Lijec 1983; 3: 1-33. Vjesn 1962; 84: 131-136. 8) MAURON J. Food, mood and health: the medieval 26) BETTINI S, CANTORE GP. Clinical picture of lactrodec- outlook. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1986; 29: 9-26. tism. Riv Parassit 1959; 20: 49-72. 9) NICCOLI M, MARTELLOTTI G. Dizionario enciclopedico 27) BOGEN E. Arachnidism. Spider poisoning. Arch In- Sansoni. Volume I. A-C, 2ne Ed. Firenze: Sansoni, tern Med 1926; 14: 623-632. 1960: 1962. 28) BOGEN E. Poisonous spider bites. Newer develop- 10) ROSEN IL. Aphrodisiacs in the kitchen. J La State ments in our knownledge of arachnidism. Ann In- Med Soc. 1980; 132: 155-159. tern Med 1932; 6: 375-88. 11) MOLDENHAUER E,SEIDEL R,EHLER. Aphrodisaka – 29) BETTINI S, CALCARA S. Treatment of the bite of La- eints und jetzt. Dermatol Monatsschr 1972; 158: trodectus tredecimguttatus (Rosi). The first case 304-309. of immune serum latrodectismo treated in Italy. 12) COSMAN MP. Machauts medical musical world. Ann Riv Parassit 1956; 27: 187-189. NY Acad Sci 1978; 314: 1-36. 30) GAMES DE, SCHOFIELD CJ, STADDON BW. The secre- 13) STAHNKE HL. The genus Centruroides (Buthidae) tion from Brindleys scent glands in Triatominae. and its venom. In: Bettini S, editor. Arthropod ven- Ann Entomol Soc Am 1974; 67: 820. oms. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer Ver- 31) SALAZAR-SCHETTINO PM. Customs which predispose lag, 1978; pp. 277-307. to Chagas disease and cystercosis in . Am 14) CHENG D, DATTARO JA, YAKOBI R. Scorpion Enveno- J Trop Med Hyg 1983; 32: 1179-1180. mation. Medscape Reference. 2009 Avg. Avail- 32) TAY S,SALAZAR-SHETTINO PM,BUCIO MI,ZARATE R, able on URL: http://emedicine.medscape.com/ar- ZARATE L. Chagas disease in Mexican Republic. ticle/168230-overview#a0104 Rev Salubr Pub 1980; 22: 409-450.

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