Structure, biological activity, mode and mechanism of action botulinum toxin as well as its therapeutic use is described.Botulinum toxin type A, one of the most potent biologic toxins, has been found to be of therapeutic value in the treatment of several neurologic and opthalmologic diseases.Its ability to produce chemical denervation of muscles makes it option for treatment of disorders in which traditional therapeutic procedure are of limited value (e.g. blepharospasm and other focal dystonias, strabismus, spasticity).
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous, naturally occurring substances in the world and it is the most toxic protein. Although it is highly toxic, it is used in medicine. Clinical applications of botulinum toxin, which include the treatment of overactive skeletal and smooth muscles, hypersecretory and painful disorders as well as cosmetics applications, have increased exponentially since it was first used clinically to treat strabismus more than two decades ag go. This paper describes the structure, mechanism of action and application of botulinum toxin.
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