Botulinum Toxin: A Friend or an Enemy?

Botulinum toxin is utilized in many drugs for the treatment purposes in healthcare. Besides healthcare, it is also utilized in the cosmetic industry. Botulism toxin is a very good friend as far as we use it with precaution and follow all guidelines for controlled doses for medication. Botulinum toxin is also known as Botulinum neurotoxin, which has been classified as seven serotypes, structurally similar but different in their antigenic and serological properties. Toxins are specific proteases, which act by degrading the protein component essential for exocytosis. BoNT/A is widely applied in neurological treatment as remodelling of neuromuscular junctions. Despite causing neuromuscular disease that could prove fatal, BoNTs are of great interest and may unveil their true potential in medical applications. They could become very useful and valuable research tools, which may lead to novel applications from cosmetic interventions to development of potent anti-cancer drugs.