From venoms to vanity: Exploring animal toxins as cosmeceuticals

IF 2.4 4区医学 Q2 PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY

Toxicon Pub Date : 2025-08-04 DOI:10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108518

Pamela Rodrigues Sampaio , Antonio Vicente Peruzzo Neto , Elisa Beatriz de Oliveira John , Conrado Pedebos , Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The integration of biologically active compounds into cosmetics has led to the emergence of cosmeceuticals, bridging the gap between traditional skincare and pharmaceutical applications. While animal venoms have long been studied for their therapeutic potential, their role in cosmetic formulations remains underexplored. This mini-review examines the current scientific landscape regarding venom-derived bioactive compounds in cosmeceuticals, excluding botulinum toxin. Our analysis reveals a growing interest in bee venom and snake-derived peptides, with additional reports on spider and salamander toxins. These compounds exhibit promising properties, including anti-aging effects, skin healing, and facial muscle relaxation. However, regulatory challenges, ethical concerns, and gaps in scientific literature hinder their widespread adoption. This review highlights the need for further research to establish safety, efficacy, and sustainable sourcing practices, paving the way for venom-based innovations in modern skincare.

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从毒液到虚荣：探索动物毒素作为药妆品

将生物活性化合物整合到化妆品中，导致了药妆品的出现，弥合了传统护肤和制药应用之间的差距。虽然长期以来人们一直在研究动物毒液的治疗潜力，但它们在化妆品配方中的作用仍未得到充分探索。这篇小型综述审查了目前关于药妆品中毒素衍生的生物活性化合物的科学前景，不包括肉毒杆菌毒素。我们的分析揭示了对蜂毒和蛇衍生肽日益增长的兴趣，以及对蜘蛛和蝾螈毒素的额外报道。这些化合物表现出有希望的特性，包括抗衰老作用、皮肤愈合和面部肌肉放松。然而，监管挑战、伦理问题和科学文献中的空白阻碍了它们的广泛采用。这篇综述强调了进一步研究的必要性，以建立安全性、有效性和可持续的采购实践，为现代护肤中基于毒液的创新铺平道路。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Toxicon 医学-毒理学

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

10.70%

发文量

358

审稿时长

68 days

期刊介绍： Toxicon has an open access mirror Toxicon: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. An introductory offer Toxicon: X - full waiver of the Open Access fee. Toxicon''s "aims and scope" are to publish: -articles containing the results of original research on problems related to toxins derived from animals, plants and microorganisms -papers on novel findings related to the chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, and immunological properties of natural toxins -molecular biological studies of toxins and other genes from poisonous and venomous organisms that advance understanding of the role or function of toxins -clinical observations on poisoning and envenoming where a new therapeutic principle has been proposed or a decidedly superior clinical result has been obtained. -material on the use of toxins as tools in studying biological processes and material on subjects related to venom and antivenom problems. -articles on the translational application of toxins, for example as drugs and insecticides -epidemiological studies on envenoming or poisoning, so long as they highlight a previously unrecognised medical problem or provide insight into the prevention or medical treatment of envenoming or poisoning. Retrospective surveys of hospital records, especially those lacking species identification, will not be considered for publication. Properly designed prospective community-based surveys are strongly encouraged. -articles describing well-known activities of venoms, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and analgesic activities of arachnid venoms, without any attempt to define the mechanism of action or purify the active component, will not be considered for publication in Toxicon. -review articles on problems related to toxinology. To encourage the exchange of ideas, sections of the journal may be devoted to Short Communications, Letters to the Editor and activities of the affiliated societies.