Our cosmeceuticals from the Miorelaxant Magic TM line They are unique because they contain a recombinant conotoxin developed by us scientists in our laboratory in Warsaw. Conotoxin is originally found in the venom of marine snails of the genus Conus , incredibly fascinating predators of tropical coral reefs.
Conus Snails – Natural Neurobiology Engineers
Conus snails , commonly known as "coneworms," inhabit the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific reefs (including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea), as well as the Red Sea, the Caribbean, and the coast of Australia. While their shells attract collectors, what they do in nature is far more interesting: they are specialized predators using a biological "harpoon" and venom that allows them to immobilize prey in a fraction of a second. The venom of these snails contains hundreds of different conotoxins—small, stable peptides with precise biological effects.
Typical conotoxins are short peptides composed of 10–30 amino acids, stiffened by disulfide bridges, which gives them exceptional selectivity and stability of action. Different conotoxins can interact with different ion channels and receptors, making them extremely valuable research tools and potential therapeutic agents.
Conotoxins in medicine – ziconotide and its importance
Interest in conotoxins began to grow in the 1980s, when it was discovered that certain species of cone snails could kill fish instantly thanks to their toxins. One of these, the ω-conotoxin MVIIA , was found to be a selective blocker of neuronal N-type calcium channels, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in neurobiology.
Its synthetic form, known as ziconotide (Prialt®), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 28, 2004, as an analgesic for the treatment of severe, chronic pain in patients who do not respond to other therapies.
Ziconotide works by blocking neuronal N-type calcium channels, which inhibits the release of pain-related neurotransmitters, providing a non-opioid alternative to chronic pain therapy.
Mechanisms of action of conotoxins
There are several main mechanisms of action of conotoxins:
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Blocking sodium channels in skeletal muscle (μ-conotoxins) — leads to muscle relaxation by preventing the flow of sodium ions.
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Inhibition of calcium channels in neurons (ω-conotoxins) — limits the influx of calcium ions and the release of pain neurotransmitters, which results in a strong analgesic effect, up to 1000 times stronger than morphine, without the risk of addiction.
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Effect on acetylcholine receptors (α-conotoxins) — they act as antagonists of nicotinic receptors and can modulate the transmission of nerve signals, which is being studied, among others, in the context of addiction.
Conotoxin in cosmeceuticals – how it works in Miorelaxant Magic TM
Our active ingredient, recombinant conotoxin, works by specifically blocking sodium ion channels on the surface of skeletal muscle cells, inducing myorelaxation, or muscle relaxation. This product has a similar effect to Botox, although the effect lasts for a shorter time, approximately 48 hours, and does not require injection, as it is a 70-times smaller molecule than botulinum toxin. Regular use helps maintain the wrinkle-smoothing effects.
Our formula has also been enriched with a proprietary transition promoter, a key element of our technology. The skin naturally allows only very small molecules to pass through unhindered. We have developed our own know-how that allows the conotoxin to effectively cross the epidermal barrier and reach areas where it can demonstrate real biological activity.
Innovative Manufacturing - Bioengineering and Ethics
The innovation of our solution is based on the production of recombinant conotoxin in bacteria using genetic engineering, a process that is efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Developing this method took us two years and involved cloning, purifying, and stabilizing the protein so that it could be effectively used in cosmetics. Of course, no snails were harmed during the production of this ingredient, and patent applications have been filed for these technologies.
A new direction in cosmeceuticals
Miorelaxant Magic ™, based on a precise myorelaxation mechanism, offers a new level of quality in wrinkle smoothing without invasive medical procedures. It also exemplifies the development of cosmeceuticals toward advanced products with documented biochemical effects and a real scientific basis. Furthermore, clinical studies reviewed by the Medical Ethics Committee and conducted by physicians have confirmed that our cosmeceutical maintains the effectiveness of botulinum toxin, an undoubted breakthrough that allows us to use botulinum toxin as directed every six months, thus reducing the risk of developing antibodies that significantly shorten its effectiveness.
1.Rui Li., Junwen Yu. et al. Conotoxins: Classification, Prediction, and Future Directions in Bioinformatics, Toxins 2025, 17(2), 78. doi.org/10.3390/toxins17020078
2.Lewis RJ, Dutertre S. et al. Conus venom peptide pharmacology, Pharmacol Rev. 2012, 64(2):259-98. doi.org/10.1124/pr.111.005322
