Toxins and pharmacologically active compounds from species of the family Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura)

Abstract

In this article, the traditional uses, toxicity and pharmacological potential of chemical compounds from bufonids have been summarized. In spite of being reported to be used to treat several diseases, neither extracts nor metabolites from bufonids have been tested in such illness like acne, osteoporosis, arthritis and other illnesses. However, the cytotoxicity of these metabolites needs to be evaluated on adequate animal models due to the limited conditions of in vitro assays. Novel qualitative and quantitative tools based on MS spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy is now available to study the complex secretions of bufonids.

Evaluation of antimutagenic and cytotoxic activity of skin secretion extract of Rhinella marina and Rhaebo guttatus (Anura, Bufonidae)

“…Bufadienolides of Bufo melanostictus showed cytotoxicity in U937 non-tumor cells (CI 50 55000-66200 μg mL -1 ) and K562 leukemic cells (CI 50 8100-92200 μg mL -1 ), antiproliferative action and apoptosis induction, with G1 cell cycle stoppage (Giri et al 2006). These contrasting results point to different mechanisms for cytotoxicity induction by bufadienolides, via lytic activity in cell membrane or by carrying out apoptosis (Rodríguez et al 2017). The lack of hemolytic activity of bufadienolides against mouse erythrocytes, even at doses as high as 50 μg mL -1 , suggests that these compounds cause apoptosis without disruption of the cell membrane (Cunha-Filho et al 2010).…”

The Antioxidant Peptide Salamandrin-I: First Bioactive Peptide Identified from Skin Secretion of Salamandra Genus (Salamandra salamandra)

“…Most amphibians produce secretions that are released onto their skin when myocytes surrounding the granular glands contract in response to stimuli promoted by the sympathetic nervous system [1]. Amphibian secretions have been used for centuries as ethno-pharmaceutical drugs in Asia and in the Americas for the treatment of several diseases, such as hemorrhages, allergies, inflammations and infections, and more recently have been considered as a prolific source of potential drug leads [2,3]. Among the molecules constituting amphibian skin secretions, a myriad of peptides have gained attention due to their wide range of biological activities.…”

Unveiling the Multifaceted Mechanisms of Antibacterial Activity of Buforin II and Frenatin 2.3S Peptides from Skin Micro-Organs of the Orinoco Lime Treefrog (Sphaenorhynchus lacteus)

“…AMPs are predominantly cationic and contain a high percentage of hydrophobic residues. These features confer structural characteristics to the peptides that define their biological activity and mechanisms of action, as well as represent a basis of new useful natural antibiotics for pharmaceutical applications [1,2,3]. Overall, two main general mechanisms have been described for accomplishing their antimicrobial activity.…”