Millipedes might not be anyone’s favorite creatures — with their countless legs and secretive behavior, they often fall into the category of “creepy crawlies.” But new research suggests that these arthropods could be unexpected allies in the search for treatments for neurological disorders and pain.

Chemist Emily Mevers and her research team have identified a new group of complex chemical structures in millipede secretions that can influence specific neuroreceptors in ant brains. These molecules belong to a class of naturally occurring compounds known as alkaloids.

Named after the species that produces them — Andrognathus corticarius, found in Virginia Tech’s Stadium Woods — the compounds have been dubbed the andrognathanols and andrognathines. The findings were recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Unlocking Hidden Chemistry

Mevers focuses on exploring chemical compounds from under-studied ecological environments for potential drug leads. In this case, her target was the little-known millipede.

Her team collected specimens from leaf litter and fallen branches in Stadium Woods and analyzed the chemical makeup of secretions from the millipedes’ defensive glands. These secretions not only help fend off predators but may also serve to signal the millipedes’ presence to others of their kind.

A Mysterious Creature With Medical Promise

Although millipedes are widespread, much about them remains unknown — including their behavior, habitat, and chemical ecology. Mevers is collaborating with entomologist Paul Marek to uncover more about these animals and determine whether their chemical defenses could lead to therapeutic breakthroughs.

In earlier research, the duo examined Ischnocybe plicata, a millipede native to the Pacific Northwest, and discovered related alkaloids that strongly and selectively interact with a neuroreceptor known as Sigma-1. This receptor has been associated with pain regulation and neurological function, hinting at a promising pharmacological application.

Now, Mevers’ team has found that the newly identified compounds from Andrognathus corticarius are released when the millipede is physically disturbed. The secretions disorient ants — likely natural predators — and some of the molecules appear to act on the same Sigma-1 receptor.

From Forest Floor to Pharmacy

The next step in the process is scaling up production of the compounds so they can be more thoroughly studied and tested.

“These compounds are quite complex, so they’re going to take some time to synthesize in the lab,” said Mevers.

With larger quantities in hand, Mevers hopes to investigate their full potential as drug candidates for treating neurological conditions and chronic pain.

Original Publication
Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c08079
Article Title: The Discovery of Complex Heterocycles from Millipede Secretions Click to copy article link
Article Publication Date: 17-Jul-2025