RATTLESNAKE CROTOXIN: HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM? A LITERATURE REVIEW OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES

 Crotoxin is one of the most interesting and dangerous substances 
in the animal world. It's found in rattlesnake venom and is responsible for much 
of the snake's toxicity. At the same time, it's being studied as a potential cancer 
treatment. This paper is a literature review that gathered experimental studies on 
how crotoxin acts on the neuromuscular system. The results show that it acts in 
three phases, causing muscle weakness, spasms, and paralysis, and that natural 
mechanisms, such as Crotalus Neutralizing Factor (CNF), can mitigate its effects. 
Furthermore, research points to potential medical applications, including action 
against tumor cells. We conclude that, despite being highly toxic, crotoxin is 
scientifically relevant and has potential for therapeutic use, demonstrating that 
venom can become a medical tool.