Synthetic snake venom is one of an increasingly wide range of bioactive ingredients that have been undergoing validation and incorporation into Korean cosmeceutical formulations.1 This column discusses some of the emerging data in this novel area of medical and dermatologic research. For more detailed information, a review on the therapeutic potential of peptides in animal venom was published in 2003 (Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2003 Oct;2[10]:790-802).
The Potential of Peptides Found in Snake Venom
Snake venom is known to contain carbohydrates, nucleosides, amino acids, and lipids, as well as enzymatic and nonenzymatic proteins and peptides, with proteins and peptides comprising the primary components.2
Dr Leslie Baumann
There are many different types of peptides in snake venom. The peptides and the small proteins found in snake venoms are known to confer a wide range of biologic activities, including antimicrobial, antihypertensive, analgesic, antitumor, and analgesic, in addition to several others. These peptides have been included in antiaging skin care products.3 Pennington et al. have observed that venom-derived peptides appear to have potential as effective therapeutic agents in cosmetic formulations.4 In particular, Waglerin peptides appear to act with a Botox-like paralyzing effect and purportedly diminish skin wrinkles.5
Issues With Efficacy of Snake Venom in Skin Care Products
As with many skin care ingredients, what is seen in cell cultures or a laboratory setting may not translate to real life use.
Synthetic Snake Venom to the Rescue? Potential Uses in Skin Health and Rejuvenation
Snakebite
Conidae
Lizard Envenomation
COMMENTARY
Synthetic Snake Venom to the Rescue? Potential Uses in Skin Health and Rejuvenation
Leslie S. Baumann, MD
August 11, 2021
Synthetic snake venom is one of an increasingly wide range of bioactive ingredients that have been undergoing validation and incorporation into Korean cosmeceutical formulations.1 This column discusses some of the emerging data in this novel area of medical and dermatologic research. For more detailed information, a review on the therapeutic potential of peptides in animal venom was published in 2003 (Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2003 Oct;2[10]:790-802).
The Potential of Peptides Found in Snake Venom
Snake venom is known to contain carbohydrates, nucleosides, amino acids, and lipids, as well as enzymatic and nonenzymatic proteins and peptides, with proteins and peptides comprising the primary components.2
Dr Leslie Baumann
There are many different types of peptides in snake venom. The peptides and the small proteins found in snake venoms are known to confer a wide range of biologic activities, including antimicrobial, antihypertensive, analgesic, antitumor, and analgesic, in addition to several others. These peptides have been included in antiaging skin care products.3 Pennington et al. have observed that venom-derived peptides appear to have potential as effective therapeutic agents in cosmetic formulations.4 In particular, Waglerin peptides appear to act with a Botox-like paralyzing effect and purportedly diminish skin wrinkles.5
Issues With Efficacy of Snake Venom in Skin Care Products
As with many skin care ingredients, what is seen in cell cultures or a laboratory setting may not translate to real life use.
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Cite this: Synthetic Snake Venom to the Rescue? Potential Uses in Skin Health and Rejuvenation - Medscape - Aug 11, 2021.