Medicinal Poisons: Historical Use of Toxins as Therapeutics
Several toxins have been refined into life-saving drugs:
- Botulinum toxin (Botox): From Clostridium botulinum; treats dystonia, spasticity, migraine, hyperhidrosis, cosmetic wrinkles.
- Snake venom components: Basis for ACE inhibitors (captopril from jararaca), anticoagulants (hirudin analogs), pain research (mambalgins).
- Digitalis (digoxin): From foxglove; treats atrial fibrillation, heart failure (narrow therapeutic index).
- Curare (tubocurarine): South American arrow poison; first neuromuscular blocker for surgery (now replaced by safer agents).
- Arsenic (arsenic trioxide): Once used for syphilis, leukemia; now FDA-approved for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Modern use requires purification, precise dosing, and rigorous safety monitoring—never self-administration.
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