According to a study from researchers of the University of Queensland, the toxin from the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree was found to be a new family of a neurotoxin called gympietides.

The Gympie-Gympie Stinging Tree 

The trees, named Dendrocnide moroides is a member of the nettle tree. It means 'stinging tree.' The tree is a member of the nettle family and is found in Australia from the Northern Rivers region of NSW, Gympie QLD, to the Cape York Peninsula. 

These particular Australian stinging species are known for causing excruciatingly painful sting, causing symptoms that last for days or weeks. 

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Dr. Marina Hurley described the pain as "like being burnt with hot acid and electrocuted at the same time."

The leaves look like it is covered by soft, downy, fur, and is inviting to touch, while its fruit looks like a long-stemmed, bright, red-dark purple raspberry. 

Gympie-Gympie leaf's slightest touch causes intense stinging, burning pain that is felt immediately, and the pain peaks after 20-30 minutes. The problem is so fierce that after 20 minutes of being stung, lymph nodes under your arms swell. It hurts painfully as of slammed between 2 blocks of wood. 

The intense pain can last from 1-4 hours, depending on the species that one got in contact with, the surface area of the skin affected, and how hard one contacted the plant.

The hairs are expected to remain in the skin for six months, Hurley explained, and the pain recurs if the skin is pressed or gets in contact with hot or cold water.

According to Associate Professor Vetter, trichomes or needle-like appendages, which are around five millimeters in length, cover the giant-stinging tree. The trichomes look like fine hairs but act like hypodermic needles injecting toxins to skin or areas they contact. 

Small molecules such as histamine, acetylcholine, and formic acid in the trichomes have been tested, but they do not cause severe pain. This suggests that it also contains an unidentified neurotoxin. 

Associate Professor Vetter and her study team were interested in what kind of neurotoxins could explain the symptoms and why the particular plant causes long-lasting pain. 

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Gympietides, The New Neurotoxins 

The team found a new neurotoxin from the venomous tree. The neurotoxin is an entirely new class of mini proteins called "Gympietides." 

Gympietides, like the spider and cone nail toxins, "fold into their 3-D molecular structures". It also targets the same pain receptors, permanently changing the sodium channels in sensory neurons, thus creating long-lasting pain.  

The recent finding will help shed light on how the toxin works to provide better treatment for those who have been stung by the plant, Vetter said. 

The gympietides also has the potential to be used as bases for new therapies for pain management.

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