Compound Monograph
Dermorphin
Dermorphin is a potent opioid peptide originally isolated from the skin of South American tree frogs.
Where Does It Come From? (1)
Dermorphin is a naturally occurring opioid peptide, found in Phyllomedusa tree frogs. It is flagged as moderately toxic.
Research & Evidence
Dermorphin is a naturally occurring opioid peptide first isolated from the skin of South American Phyllomedusa tree frogs. It is a highly potent and selective agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, reported to be many times more potent than morphine on a weight basis, and like the related deltorphins it contains a D-amino acid that is unusual in natural peptides. It is studied chiefly as a pharmacological tool, and it has attracted attention in other contexts as a potential doping agent.
Toxicity & Safety
As a very potent mu-opioid agonist, dermorphin carries the general hazards associated with strong opioids, including sedation and respiratory depression, and it is handled as a research substance rather than a consumer product. Reliable human safety data outside the laboratory are limited.