[Amphibian skin secretions as a new source of antibiotics and biologically active substances]. 2009

Ireneusz Całkosiński, and Arkadiusz Zasadowski, and Agnieszka Bronowicka-Szydełko, and Katarzyna Dzierzba, and Ewa Seweryn, and Maciej Dobrzyński, and Andrzej Gamian
Katedra i Zakład Biochemii Lekarskiej, Akademia Medyczna we Wrocławiu, 50-368 Wrocław. i.calkosinski@wp.pl

So far, the main sources of biologically active substances used in medicine have been plants, molds, and propolis. The obtained compounds have either therapeutic features or require additional modification. They are sometimes combined with other pharmacological substances to intensify their therapeutic effect. However, the effectiveness of many drugs has been rapidly decreasing.The overuse of antibiotics in the treatment and prophylaxis of human infections (especially in hospitals) as well as their widespread and often unjustified use in the treatment and prophylaxis of farm animal illnesses contribute to the development of a variety of resistance mechanisms by microorganisms. Because of the increasing ineffectiveness of antibiotics used so far and difficulties in obtaining new drugs, it is necessary to find new sources of these compounds, for example in animal organisms. Research has demonstrated that amphibian skin secretions are rich in a variety of active substances which have strong pharmacological properties. In these compounds we can distinguish, for example, toxins, antimicrobial peptides, opioid peptides, steroids, and alkaloids.These compounds show cytotoxic, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and even antiviral activities (including anti-HIV). These substances can be used in cell receptor studies and in transmembrane ion transport analysis. Because these compounds are secreted by skin glands,they can be easy obtained without injuring these animals. It is probable that amphibian skin constitutes a potential source of modern drugs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005088 Exocrine Glands Glands of external secretion that release its secretions to the body's cavities, organs, or surface, through a duct. Exocrine Gland,Gland, Exocrine,Glands, Exocrine
D000470 Alkaloids Organic nitrogenous bases. Many alkaloids of medical importance occur in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, and some have been synthesized. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Alkaloid,Plant Alkaloid,Plant Alkaloids,Alkaloid, Plant,Alkaloids, Plant
D000663 Amphibians VERTEBRATES belonging to the class amphibia such as frogs, toads, newts and salamanders that live in a semiaquatic environment. Amphibia,Amphibian
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001679 Biogenic Amines A group of naturally occurring amines derived by enzymatic decarboxylation of the natural amino acids. Many have powerful physiological effects (e.g., histamine, serotonin, epinephrine, tyramine). Those derived from aromatic amino acids, and also their synthetic analogs (e.g., amphetamine), are of use in pharmacology. Amines, Biogenic,Biogenic Amine,Amine, Biogenic
D012867 Skin The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D012879 Skin Physiological Phenomena The functions of the skin in the human and animal body. It includes the pigmentation of the skin. Skin Physiological Processes,Skin Physiology,Physiology, Skin,Skin Physiological Concepts,Skin Physiological Phenomenon,Skin Physiological Process,Concept, Skin Physiological,Concepts, Skin Physiological,Phenomena, Skin Physiological,Phenomenas, Skin Physiological,Phenomenon, Skin Physiological,Phenomenons, Skin Physiological,Physiological Concept, Skin,Physiological Concepts, Skin,Physiological Phenomena, Skin,Physiological Phenomenas, Skin,Physiological Phenomenon, Skin,Physiological Phenomenons, Skin,Process, Skin Physiological,Processes, Skin Physiological,Skin Physiological Concept,Skin Physiological Phenomenas,Skin Physiological Phenomenons
D023181 Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides Small cationic peptides that are an important component, in most species, of early innate and induced defenses against invading microbes. In animals they are found on mucosal surfaces, within phagocytic granules, and on the surface of the body. They are also found in insects and plants. Among others, this group includes the DEFENSINS, protegrins, tachyplesins, and thionins. They displace DIVALENT CATIONS from phosphate groups of MEMBRANE LIPIDS leading to disruption of the membrane. Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide,Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides,Cationic Host Defense Peptides,Host Defense Peptide,Microbicidal Cationic Proteins,Amphipathic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides,Host Defense Peptides,Antimicrobial Peptide, Cationic,Antimicrobial Peptides, Cationic,Cationic Peptides, Antimicrobial,Cationic Proteins, Microbicidal,Defense Peptide, Host,Defense Peptides, Host,Peptide, Cationic Antimicrobial,Peptide, Host Defense,Peptides, Antimicrobial Cationic,Peptides, Cationic Antimicrobial,Peptides, Host Defense,Proteins, Microbicidal Cationic
D029845 Amphibian Proteins Proteins obtained from species in the class of AMPHIBIANS.

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