New application of Botox
Botox can replace opioid painkillers
Natalia Pelezneva, Naked Science
University College London has tested a technique for the treatment of chronic pain using modified botulinum toxin. Scientists believe that in the future, the development will be able to partially replace opioid analgesics that are addictive. The description of the technology is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine (Maiarù et al., Selective neuronal silencing using synthetic botulinum molecules alleviates chronic pain in mice).
Botulinum toxin is one of the strongest known toxic substances. This neurotoxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. In medicine, its derivatives are used to treat hyperactivity of some muscles, in cosmetology – to smooth out facial wrinkles. Previously, with the help of botulinum toxin, it was proposed to slow down the growth of tumors.
The authors of the new work tested two modifications of a toxin-based painkiller on mice. One (SP-BOT) affects the projection neurons of the spinal cord: these neurons have long processes-axons and allow transmitting a pain signal to the brain. In this drug, the derivatives of botulinum toxin were combined with a substance P – neuropeptide capable of binding to the NK1R receptor, which provides the transmission of pain signals. The second compound (Derm-BOT) works with µ-opioid receptors, in it the components of botulinum toxin are supplemented with dermorphin – this opioid was first isolated from the skin of Phyllomedusa frogs.
SP-BOT effects on axons
© Science Translational Medicine
The drugs were injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of mice, then the rodents were examined using an estesiometer, a device for measuring skin sensitivity. Both remedies have proven effective in chronic pain and inflammatory processes. At the same time, the drugs did not harm the neurons, and also did not cause addiction and noticeable side effects. In healthy mice, the drugs did not harm mobility, since the compounds did not use fragments of botulinum toxin responsible for its ability to immobilize muscles.
Scientists believe that in the future the technology can be adapted for people with chronic pain.
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