botulinum toxin

botulinum toxin noun

1. a pharmaceutical formulation of botulin used in minute doses to treat various forms of muscle spasm and for the cosmetic removal of wrinklesSee Botox

botulinum toxin in Science botulinum toxin [bŏch′ə-lī′nəm]

1. Any of several enzymes produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that are extremely potent neurotoxins. Botulinum toxin interferes with the ability of neurons to release acetylcholine at nerve-muscle junctures, thereby inducing the paralysis of botulism. Botulinum toxin is resistant to enzymatic digestion in the body and is used as an antispasmodic and a treatment for wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles. Also called botulin