BUFO SKIN-SECRETIONS ARE SOURCES OF PHARMACOLOGICALLY AND THERAPEUTICALLY SIGNIFICANT COMPOUNDS
Dr. Bishnu Charan Pradhan* and Shakti Prasad Pradhan
ABSTRACT
Amphibians have been occupying a wide range of habitats since they
evolved around 363 million-years-ago. Along with legs and lungs, skin
played an important role in survival of amphibians and made it
possible for them to exploit diverse ecological conditions. Amphibian
skin not only helps in avoiding desiccation but also helps in imposing
defense against predators as well as pathogens. Amphibian skin
possesses wide variety of chemical compounds, which have potential
significance in pharmacology and therapeutics. Toads especially those
belonging to genus Bufo, are outstanding source of useful granulargland
secretions. Compounds derived from toad skin-secretions can be
used as analgesics, painkillers and as medicine against cardiacproblems,
multi-drug resistant bacteria, HIV and Cancer.
Keywords: Bufadienolides, pharmacology, Bufo skin-secretions, toxins.
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